Blackrock Wellness SYMPTOMS OF FOOD INTOLERANCE
Food allergies and food intolerances can cause many symptoms, which are often blamed on other conditions. By isolating trigger foods, it is possible to eliminate symptoms. HEAD: - dizziness, headache, and insomnia EYES, EARS, NOSE, AND THROAT: - itchy, watery eyes; swollen eyelids; blurred vision; earaches or ear infections; ringing or itching in ears; stuffy nose; sneezing, coughing, wheezing, gagging; excessive mucous; sore throat or hoarseness SKIN AND MOUTH: - itchy skin; swollen or discolored lips or tongue; sensitive gums, canker sores; acne; hives, rashes, dry skin; hair loss; hot flashes or flushing; excessive sweating HEART, CHEST, AND LUNGS: - chest pain; irregular hearbeat; congestion; athsma, bronchitis, or other breathing difficulties GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT: - nausea or vomiting; diarrhea or constipation; irritable bowel syndrome, "leaky gut syndrome;" ulcers; bloating; flatulence; heartburn; intestinal or stomach pain JOINTS/MUSCLES: - arthritis; muscle/joint pain; stiffness;weakness GENITALS AND BLADDER: - infertility; unusual discharge or itch; frequent or urgent urination; bladder pain WEIGHT AND ENERGY: - excessive cravings for particular foods; weight gain; underweight or weight loss; water retention MIND AND SPIRIT: - fatigue and sluggishness; hyperactivity and restlessness; poor concentration and distractibility; difficulty following instruction, confusion; poor physical coordination; slurred speech; learning disabilities; poor memory EMOTIONS: - mood swings; irritability; anxiety; aggressiveness; depression; compulsive behavior Symptoms of food intolerance can be confused with or blamed on symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, post-viral fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, depression, irritable bowel syndrome and Chrone's disease, dermatitis herpetiformis, epilepsy, and diabetes mellitis Type 1, among other chronic conditions. If you believe a trigger food might be causing your symptoms, an elimination diet is time-consuming but rewarding. Start with a food journal. Record what you eat and how you feel afterwards. Next, isolate trigger foods, starting with those most commonly known to cause intolerances. You may not immediately see a difference, but keep trying. After several weeks, if you have not experienced any alleviation of symptoms, choose a new trigger food to eliminate. Keep that food journal going! Finding what is causing your pain and getting rid of it can make a vast improvement in your quality of life! Do you have food intolerances or a specific dietary choice? The general acceptance that what is offered on the supermarket shelf is what we should be eating can be very wrong. How might an elimination diet help with your chronic condition? Do you want to go gluten-free but are on a budget? Resources for dietary differences in the Reno/Sparks area Online resources for dietary differences