Topic 3: Part J Flashcards
Food allergy
immune response to a food substance
Food allergens also known as..
antigens
In Canada food allergies affect how many children and how many adults
- children: 5-6 %
- adults 3-4%
Food allergens (antigens) involve ..
proteins foreign to the body that elicit formation of antibodies called immunoglobulin E (IgE)
Antibodies are ..
large immune cells that are produced to inactivate the antigen
Allergies always involve…
antibody production
A family history of allergies can..
increase the risk of allergies
Once identified the best treatment for allergies is to
avoid them
Breastfed babies are at ..
lesser risk of developing allergy when compared to formula fed infants
Allergic reactions to single foods are..
most common
Reactions to multiple foods are…
rare
Lab tests are required to..
identify true allergy
Classical allergy symptoms
- shock
- itching
- redness of skin
- asthma
- runny nose
The most severe symptoms seen is called..
anaphylaxis, which affects about 1-2% of Canadians
According to Health Canada 9 most common food allergies in Canada are
- Peanuts
- Tree nuts
- Eggs
- Milk
- Wheat
- Soy
- Sesame seeds
- Seafood (fish, crustaceans, shellfish)
- Sulfites
90% of food allergies are caused by..
nuts, eggs, milk, wheat and shellfish
Food allergy myth “lots of people have food allergies” but fact is..
fact: surveys show that 1 in 3 people believe they are allergic to some foods but in reality a small % of population as allergies to food
Food allergy myth “food allergy means runny nose” but fact is..
allergic reactions can range from runny nose to rash to anaphylactic shock
Food allergy myth “any negative reaction to a food is food allergy” but fact is…
is may simply be a food intolerance such as lactose intolerance
Food allergy myth “people are allergic to food additives” but fact is..
Common misconception. Many additives such as MSG, aspartame, and food dyes have been studied extensively and there is no evidence of any allergic reactions in majority of people
Food intolerance
adverse reaction to a food that does not involve an immune response
Unlike a food allergy where food must be completely avoided a person with food intolerance can …
typically manage small portions of the food to which they are intolerant
Typical symptoms of food intolerance
gastrointestinal in nature, gas, bloating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain
Lactose intolerance
impaired ability to digest lactose due to reduced amounts of the enzyme lactase.