What Are The Symptoms Of A Food Allergy
Stomach pain is the primary symptom of a food allergy. It typically starts soon after eating. Other symptoms include bloating, constipation and diarrhea. Some foods such as milk can cause nasal congestion or post-nasal drip. Food allergies can also cause tongue swelling, throat itch, rashes, hives or even anaphylactic shock.
How A Damaged Gut Leads To Sinus Pain
Sinus pain is often caused by the inability to fully digest certain ‘modern’ foods . Half broken down proteins actually damage the gut lining making it ‘leaky’ – so foreign particles get into the blood stream where they should not be. The body’s natural response is an immune reaction – just like a mild allergic response deep inside – where the effects are not immediately noticeable. It is the beginning of chronic inflammation and a series of ‘alert’ warnings to all systems.
The food culprits include gluten , corn, yeasts and casein from milk. We also know the lectins in Nightshade vegetables can cause Leaky Gut. Any one of these could be causing your sinus pain.
Well-established scientific research* has repeatedly made the connection between respiratory disease and certain food proteins. And your sinus symptoms are just the tip of the iceberg. In fact they are an excellent warning sign that you are sensitive to food toxins!
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How Do Allergies Cause Sinus Pressure
Your sinuses are hollow cavities lined with a thin layer of mucus that have the important job of filtering and moistening the air you breathe, as well as trapping dust and germs. There are four major sinus cavities:
- Frontal, located in your forehead.
- Ethmoid, located behind your nose and between your eyes.
- Maxillary, located behind your cheekbones, between the bottoms of your eyes and the top of your upper jaw.
- Sphenoid, located deep in your head behind your nose.
When youre exposed to allergens and the immune system responds, this causes increased mucus production and swelling of the nasal tissues. This swelling blocks mucus from draining, causing it to become trapped. The result is pain and pressure in the sinuses.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, bacteria may have made its way into the sinuses and become trapped, requiring treatment from a doctor:
- Thick, discolored drainage from the nose.
- Postnasal drip .
- Headache.
- Feeling of fullness in the ear.
- Cough.
- Toothache.
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Allergy And Chronic Sinusitis
Many patients with allergies also have sinus problems. Chronic sinusitis is an inflammatory condition of the sinuses that may cause nasal congestion, drainage, postnasal drainage, facial pain or pressure, decreased smell, and fatigue. Allergies can cause many if not all of these same symptoms.
So how do you know which it is you might have or could you suffer from both?
Your ENT Allergist can help you sort this out and formulate the right personalized treatment for you.
In allergic rhinitis , the immune system reacts to something to which is it exposed as if it were a harmful invader. It creates IgE antibodies that then cause the release of histamine which leads to the classic allergy symptoms.
In chronic sinusitis, the nose and sinuses become inflamed and sometimes infected, leading to an ongoing set of symptoms from this persistent inflammation. The tricky thing is that many of the symptoms can be present in both conditions.
There have been a lot of studies looking to see if there is a relationship between allergies and chronic sinusitis, where one might impact the other.
An evidence-based review :93-103) found that there were nearly as many articles showing an association between the two as there were that showed no link at all.
They recommended that in patients with chronic sinusitis, allergy testing and treatment is an option.
So what should you do?
Some problems are best treated with medications.
What Are The Types Of Sinusitis
There are two types of sinusitis.
Acute sinusitis is a temporary inflammation of the sinuses. The mucous membranes of your nose, sinuses and throat swell. This could happen when you have a cold or allergies. Swelling blocks the sinus openings and prevents normal mucus drainage. This causes mucus and pressure to build up.
Chronic sinusitis occurs when symptoms become more frequent or worse. Sinus infections may cause chronic sinus inflammation and symptoms. If you have more than three sinus infections in a year or have symptoms longer than 12 weeks, you could have chronic sinusitis. More than 50 percent of people with moderate to severe asthma also have chronic sinusitis.
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How Your Allergies Can Cause A Sinus Infection
If youve ever had a sinus infection, you know the pain and discomfort it can cause. Medically termed sinusitis, a sinus infection occurs when the cavities around your nose become swollen and inflamed.
Sinusitis is most often caused by a virus and often lasts long after the other upper respiratory symptoms are gone. Rarely, fungus or bacteria may cause a sinus infection. Allergies, nasal polyps, a tooth infection, and a deviated septum are other ways in which sinusitis may be triggered.
Sinusitis is acute if it lasts for a short period of time. The acute infection is usually part of a cold or allergies. If your sinus infection lasts for more than eight weeks, or continues to reoccur, you have a chronic infection. Many symptoms of a sinus infection are common to both the acute and the chronic forms. The best way to know for sure if you have an infection, to find the cause, and to get treatment, is to see your doctor.
An infection of the sinus cavity close to the brain can be life threatening, if not treated. In rare cases, it can spread to the brain.
Normal sinuses are lined with a thin layer of mucus that traps dust, germs and other particles in the air. Tiny hair-like projections in the sinuses sweep the mucus towards openings that lead to the back of the throat. From there, it slides down to the stomach. This continual process is a normal body function.
Most Common Culprits Of Sinus Pain: Food Toxins
How do you get relief? Here at the Institute we specialise in information about food toxins. It’s not too hard to avoid food toxins – but you need a little help. But the effort is worth it.
Any food which is giving you a constant symptom – is also causing damage in your gut – every day and every week. Why ask for trouble later in life?
Learn more with the Free ebook about Food Toxins
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Is It An Allergy Sinus Infection Or Silent Reflux
by Alan S. Berger, M.D. | Nov 11, 2016 | GERD, LPR, Silent Reflux
The holidays are here again and whether your favorite food is turkey or apple pie, its going to be a problem if you suffer from reflux. We are heading into the home stretch of food-focused festivities and the only way you are going to enjoy them is if we help you get reflux under control.
The most common types of reflux are LPR and GERD. LPR stands for Laryngopharyngeal Reflux, or Silent Reflux, and GERD stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease. Both are digestive diseases and both cause discomfort that needs to be properly diagnosed. Here are the signs and symptoms of each type of reflux.
LPR, or Silent Reflux, occurs when food or stomach acids flow back up into the voice box, throat, or even the sinuses. These areas can become inflamed because theyre not protected against the acid backflow. This backflow, or reflux, is manifested by esophageal sphincters, or muscle rings, that are not functioning properly and can happen whether you have eaten or not. Sometimes it can feel like an allergy, a sinus issue or even pulmonary disease. Most people do not experience the obvious signs and symptoms of heartburn or indigestion, which is why LPR is called Silent Reflux.
What Should You Do If You Find Certain Foods Lead To Sinus Discomfort
Before you jump into a diet that totally eliminates everything you could possibly have a reaction to, talk to your doctor about what is going on. They may guide you through an elimination diet and/or suggest food allergy testing, which will pinpoint exactly what youre allergic to.
However, if you think the problem is more in your sinuses than in your food intake, CT Sinus Center can help. When you come in, well take the time to really talk to you about your diet, symptoms and medical history. Then after we get to the root of the problem, well develop a treatment plan that is right for you. If you do have chronic sinusitis, you could be the perfect candidate for balloon sinuplasty, a non-invasive, in-office procedure that has few side effects and no downtime.
Call 860-BALLOON to make your appointment at one CT Sinus Centers four conveniently-located offices Kent, Litchfield, Shelton and Waterbury. After all, no one wants to diet if they dont have to.
For additional information on sinus-related conditions or treatments, read more about CT Sinus Center and take a look at our blog.
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Understanding Food Allergies And Treatment Options
According to the National Institutes of Health, nearly 5 percent of adults and 4 percent of children suffer from food allergies. Eight foods cause the most food allergy reactions: milk, soy, eggs, wheat, peanuts tree nuts, fish and shellfish.
Cynthia Rose, family nurse practitioner at University of Missouri Health Care, explains how to determine if you have a true food allergy or an intolerance, and how you can minimize the symptoms.
Don’t Be Confused By Sinus Pain ‘triggers’
While your sinuses can be irritated by smells or pollens, it’s your background reaction to certain food toxins that sets you up to be irritated . . . like you’re constantly on ‘low-alert’. Your body is already primed to get irritated and the slightest thing can set you off.
You may even think your sinus attacks are caused by weather changes, or perfumes or pollution .
But the research says the underlying cause is much more likely to be from particular food toxins . . . and learning how to avoid them brings immediate and lasting relief.
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Can Certain Foods Cause Sinus Problems
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Correspondingly, what foods trigger sinus congestion?
Here is a list of 7 common foods present in every pantry which cause congestion:
- Refined Sugars. Sugars, when eaten in small amounts, are harmless but when the intake is high, it not only makes you fat but also has inflammation enhancing properties.
- Spicy Foods.
- Red Meat.
- Pizza.
Also, can gluten intolerance cause sinus problems? Diane Marks, writing for Livestrong.com, explains it this way: Gluten may trigger an exaggerated immune system response that causes the production of histamine in the sinus cavity. When gluten enters the body, the immune system mistakes the protein for an intruding substance.
Moreover, what foods should you avoid if you have sinus problems?
You may think of milk, sweets, sweet beverages as comfort foods but if you are battling sinusitis, they may be adding to your discomfort as the protein in milk tends to increase and thicken mucous secretions so your best bet would be to avoid milk and dairy products especially at the time of sinus attack.
What is sinusitis caused by?
Sinusitis. Sinusitis is usually caused by a virus and often persists even after other upper respiratory symptoms are gone. In some cases, bacteria, or rarely fungus, may cause a sinus infection. Other conditions such as allergies, nasal polyps, and tooth infections can also contribute to sinus pain and symptoms.
What Are The Treatment Options For A Food Allergy
Theres no cure, pill or magic treatment for a food allergy. The best practices involve either decreasing the allergen in the diet or eliminating it altogether.
If someone has many food allergies, we might suggest a rotation diet where you still eat the allergic foods, but you rotate how often you eat them and make sure you are not eating multiple allergens in one day.
Another option might be an anti-histamine diet, which involves avoiding foods that produce histamine. Nightshade plants, which include tomatoes and eggplant, are histamine producers and can make allergic symptoms worse.
I also recommend a 21-day elimination diet to rule out foods that trigger an allergic response. This involves taking one food out of the diet for 21 days to see if you feel better. If you notice an improvement, that food likely contributed to your food allergy.
In rare cases, some providers might give you small amounts of the allergen over a prescribed amount of time. There is some evidence to suggest this could be helpful in overcoming an allergy.
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Sinus Problems Caused By Food Allergies
A common symptom of food allergies is sinus problems.The sinuses are cavities in your head, located directly behind your nose and eyes that help to filter unwanted particles from the air you breathe in. They are made of sensitive soft tissue and lined with mucus membranes that keep the tissue soft and moist. During a food allergy, the sinuses become inflamed because of increased levels of histamine in the body 12. Chronic sinus problems can lead to sinus infections and further complications. Talk with your doctor about your symptoms.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
What Is The Treatment For Sinusitis
The first step to treat sinusitis is to unblock the nasal passages. This helps proper drainage of the sinuses. Draining the sinuses helps flush out a bacterial infection. If you have a bacterial infection, your doctor will also prescribe an antibiotic to fight it.
Here are a few common treatment options for sinusitis:
Nasal irrigation or steam inhalation. To irrigate your sinuses, you rinse your nose with warm salt water using a neti pot or a special rinse bottle. Steam inhalation involves breathing hot steam through your nose for 10 to 15 minutes, three to four times a day.
Nasal steroids. Sprays help decrease swelling. Use your nasal spray properly to avoid side effects. Read the directions carefully to avoid problems.
Antibiotics. Your doctor may prescribe a course of antibiotics to fight a bacterial infection.
Oral steroids. These are given for severe chronic sinusitis. These are powerful medicines with major side effects. These medicines are usually only prescribed when other medicines failed.
If your chronic sinusitis symptoms will not go away with these treatments, you may be a candidate for sinus surgery. Conventional sinus surgery is also known as functional endoscopic sinus surgery. A less-invasive option that uses a balloon catheter is called balloon sinuplasty. Both surgeries open up blocked sinuses, restoring normal sinus drainage and may temporarily help reduce symptoms.
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Allergies And Sinus Issues Can Be Confused So Pay Close Attention To Symptoms
These two conditions can be confused with one and other, so paying close attention to the symptoms is important. Allergies cause the linings of the sinuses and nose to inflame and are the bodys response to different allergens. Sinusitis, on the other hand, is an infection and inflammation in one of the four sinus cavities. With allergies, over the counter medications like antihistamines and nasal sprays may be helpful to reduce the inflammation and nasal drainage. Sinusitis, if caused by a bacterial infection, may need treated with antibiotic prescribed by a medical provider.
While the antibiotic is necessary in some instances, Dr. Snyder says providers are cautious when prescribing these medications because they can kill off good bacteria as they kill the bad bacteria. Too much antibiotic use when it is not needed can cause a resistance within the body to. This resistance can be an issue if the need should arise for treatment of an infection of a serious nature.
If you do not have a doctor and would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Snyder, or one of the other providers at Ashland Family practice call, 419-289-0333. If you would like to explore other UH Samaritan family provider practices in the community visit uhhospitals.org/schedule.
Can Food Sensitivities Cause Sinus Congestion
A food allergens is something that affects our bodies.In addition to allergies to peanuts and strawberries, certain foods such as tomatoes or peanuts, as well as those with eczema also can cause hives.There are people with food allergies who suffer from nasal symptoms like congestion.Getting tested if your congestion appears to be related to certain foods could be helpful.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Sinusitis
When a sinus infection results from blocked sinuses, you can have symptoms like:
- Thick white, yellow or greenish discharge from the nose or drainage down the back of the throat
- Nasal obstruction or congestion
- Tenderness and swelling around the eyes, cheeks, nose and forehead
- A reduced sense of smell and taste
How Is A Food Allergy Diagnosed
Either a skin test or blood test is required to determine whether you are suffering from one or multiple food allergies. An allergist will be able to determine if your problem is due to a true allergy or an insensitivity, which is similar to an allergy but does not have potentially serious or life-threatening symptoms.
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Pay Close Attention To Symptoms To Determine If Cause Is Sinus Infection Or Allergies
Dear Mayo Clinic:
I have long suffered from allergies. But there have been times when I haven’t been sure if my symptoms are really from my allergies or may be caused by a sinus infection instead. How can I tell the difference?
Answer:
Allergies and sinus infections are often mistaken for one another. But they are two separate conditions. By paying close attention to the specific symptoms you have, you can usually identify which one is more likely to be causing the problem.
A sinus infection, also called sinusitis, affects the cavities around your nasal passages. The infection causes your sinuses to become inflamed and swollen. The swelling makes it hard for your sinuses to drain, and mucus builds up. You become congested and have trouble breathing through your nose. Sinusitis often causes thick yellow or green nasal discharge. A sore throat, cough or headache, as well as pressure or tenderness around your eyes, cheeks, nose or forehead, may also accompany sinusitis.
In most cases, viruses cause sinusitis. These viral infections usually go away on their own within a week to 10 days. Self-care measures such as extra rest and fluids along with over-the-counter pain relievers and decongestants can help. When sinusitis is caused by bacteria, the infection may not require treatment, either. But if it is persistent or severe, then antibiotics such as amoxicillin, doxycycline and others may be used to treat the infection.
