Food allergies 101

When it comes to children's food intolerances, parents are often left to do their own homework. The current medical approach used to deal with allergies is to suppress the body's natural immune response.

The two types of drugs most commonly used are antihistamines to stop histamine release, and corticosteroids to halt inflammation. These medications are very effective at masking symptoms, but can be problematic when used for lengthy periods. Often chronic use of these medications can result in a rebound effect when the medication is eventually stopped.

Have you ever wondered why your allergic symptoms seem to become worse when you stop taking a certain drug? This is a classic example of the rebound effect. Because the body's natural response has been suppressed, when given the opportunity, it responds with more severe symptoms. These medications are appropriate in certain cases, however, their longterm use can cause even more problems and side effects. Here are the standard treatment options used by the allopathic model of medicine:

• Antihistamines: Treat the symptoms by suppressing the body's histamine response

• Decongestants: Reduce congestion

• Desensitization shots: Allergy shots

• Laser surgery: Use of laser to vaporize mucous-forming nasal tissue

• Steroid nasal sprays: Long-term effect unknown

Integrative medicine, on the other hand, takes a different approach to allergies by investigating why the body is triggering a heightened immune reaction to an otherwise harmless food. Does the child suffer from poor digestion? Poor absorption? Is the child eating the same foods over and over again?

There are several tests available to help determine if food allergies are the cause of your children's illness or infections. Some of the tests available are very accurate, and others are rather crude. I recommend finding a health care practitioner who uses a combination of various diagnostic procedures.

Learn about Canada's 9 most common food allergies.

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