Ayurvedaforall: Ayurvedic Treatment for Food Allergy

A dangerous or unpleasant reaction by the immune system when some are taken is known as food allergy and its reason is unknown. The allergic response to some food items experienced in childhood may resolve when reaches adulthood. In some cases, food allergies can become life-threatening.

Signs and symptoms of Allergy food
Causes of Allergy food
Pathophysiology of Allergy food
Diagnosis of Allergy food
Treatments of Allergy food
Prognosis of Allergy food
Complications of Allergy food
Virudhahara and food allergy (incompatible food)
Nidana- Causes of Virudha ahara
Lakshana of virudha ahara
Prognosis of virudha ahara
Chikitsa (Treatment) of virudha ahara
Commonly used medicines for virudha ahara
Diet
Yoga
Research articles link.

Signs and Symptoms

The symptoms vary from mild to very severe life-threatening anaphylactic reactions.

Tingling sensation in the mouth and burning sensation in the lips and mouth
Swelling of tongue and lips
Rashes in skin, itching and redness
Wheezing, shortness of breath
Nausea and vomiting
diarrhea
rhinitis
streaming eyes, redness of eyes

Symptoms get worsen rapidly. There will be a rapid fall in the blood pressure, tachycardia, respiratory symptoms, etc., and may lead to loss of consciousness.

Causes

The food items which causes allergic reactions include,

eggs
fish
milk (lactose intolerance)
soya
nuts from trees (including hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds, and Brazil nuts)
peanuts (groundnuts)
shellfish (including shrimps, mussels, and crab)
wheat (gluten allergy)

Turmeric, sesame oil, celery, mustard, etc. may cause allergic reactions in some cases.

Pathophysiology

The reason for this is that here the body identifies the protein as harmful to the body. In such cases, the immune system produces chemicals that cause the symptoms. In most cases, the symptoms produce by eating food items that are allergic to the person. Indirectly, the intake of products containing such food also causes allergy. Inhalation of aerosols, dust from a source such as flour or oil, cooking spray. Age, history of food allergy, family history are all risk factors.

Diagnosis

History of food habits, analysis of signs and symptoms is the initial step in the diagnosis. Other confirmatory tests like skin tests, blood tests for IgE antibodies.

Treatments

The standard approach is to avoid exposure to food causing the allergy.
Desensitization is the method in which to increase doses of food containing allergens to those children with a particular allergy.
Oral immunotherapy
Anti-histamines
In severe cases the injection of epinephrine to prevent anaphylaxis. People with allergies carry an epinephrine autoinjector (EpiPen, Auvi-Q, others).

Prognosis

Many of the food allergies, particularly allergies to milk, egg, soy, and wheat, are usually subsides by reaching adulthood, usually within ten years of life. Allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish are often lifelong. 20% of individuals may outgrow peanut allergy

Complications

In some cases, food allergy causes life-threatening anaphylactic reactions.

Disease and Ayurveda

We can manage the condition based on the concept of Virudhahara (Incompatible food). Ajeerna and Agnimandya can also be considered. Saatmya is a concept in Ayurveda describing the things conducive to the body. Substances which are not conducive to the body causes allergic reactions.

Nidana- Causes

The causes of food allergy may include,

Weak Agni ( less digestive fire)
Ama accumulation ( Ama means toxins)
Individual’s body constitution
Imbalance of Dosha in the body (Vata, Pitta or Kapha)
State of the Dhatu (tissue) Agni (digestive fire): this determines which tissue or organ system will be affected.
Weak immune system

Intake of food that is not compatible with the body, mismatching a combination of food items, taking food at an improper time, place, inappropriate amounts, etc. causes food allergy.

Lakshana Signs and Symptoms

Diseases due to virus includes,

Indigestion, Abdominal distension, intestinal disorders, Ascites, gastritis
Fever
Intoxication, fainting
Skin diseases, erysipelas, bullous, etc.

Divisions

In Ayurveda, eighteen types of Virudha are said. Among this Saatmya (anything conducive to body) virudha and Agni virudha can be considered more in this context.

Prognosis

Intake of incompatible food causes many diseases from indigestion to severe intoxication like life-threatening conditions. Its prognosis so is determined by the problem it causes in the body.

Chikitsa- Treatment

Samana: can be given Samanaushadha (medicines) based on the disease. Drugs like Haridra, nimba possessing detoxifying effect can be used. Treatment to protect Agni (digestive fire) is necessary because a person with supreme Agnibala (digestive fire) won’t get the effect of Virudha ahara.

Shodhana: Diseases caused by intake of incompatible diets and drugs can be cured by Vamana Karma (therapeutic Emesis), Virechana (Purgation)

Commonly used medicines

Commonly used medicines include,

Vilwadi gulika

Sudarshanam Gulika

Dadimashtaka churna

Pachanamrutham Kashayam

Mahavilwadi Lehyam

Rasasindhooram

Nimbamruthadi erandam

Vaiswanara choorna

Sankha vati