Dubai: Our lifestyle may be the reason behind the increase in cases of food hypersensitivity says a Dubai -based food allergy specialist.
"Nowadays we are recognising an increase in patient numbers having food allergies," says Dr Emad Arafa, Allergy and Pulmonology Physician at NMC Specialty Hospital in Dubai.
"It might be the changing of our lifestyle that makes us to eat more fast food meals which contain a lot of fried oils and more spicy food that could exacerbate the allergic symptoms for some people. As well as constantly encountering more engineered and processed foods which increase the chances of people being allergic."
He said a patient's history, like a parent with allergies could also be a factor
Dr Arafa added that although stress can't cause an allergy or intolerance to food, it can be a catalyst in bringing out a pre-existing condition, "For example, severity of urticaria [a rash] and eczema could be increased by emotional conditions."
Awareness
Arafa believes that increased awareness towards food allergies is also a major factor for the increase in patient numbers, but he points out that many people assume that they have a food allergy without getting tested.
"The prevalence of food allergy is variable worldwide. Around 20 per cent of people assume that they have food allergies. However, the right percentage [after confirmed diagnosis] is around one to six per cent."
Few countries have accurate statistics on food allergy says Dr Arafa, "In the US around eight per cent of children [0-3 years] have food allergies, in UK it is from five to six per cent in the first three years of life and in Germany around four and a half per cent."
On statistics for the Middle East, Dr Arafa said: "Unfortunately, we do not have specific data on the Middle East region until now.
However, fish, milk, wheat and nut allergies are regularly seen in clinics," said Dr Arafa. Food hypersensitivity can be either an allergic reaction if the immunity system implicated or non-allergic (food intolerance) if does not. However, anaphylaxis is a generalised allergic reaction to food.
Dr Arafa said that food intolerance is caused by enzyme deficiencies; like lactose milk, galactose and wheat gluten. "Additives and preservatives in food can cause pharmacological reactions in some people."
Food allergy symptoms could affect all body systems says Dr Arafa.
"The patient might have skin rashes, itching [urticaria] or persistence patches [eczema]. Respiratory symptoms include runny nose, itching, coughing, wheezing and can reach to asthma.
"Some of the allergic symptoms might affect the gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) in the form of swelling of lips or eyes [angiodema] or just only irritation in the mouth and throat [oral allergy symptoms]. In addition, it might cause abdominal pain and bloating," explains Arafa. "While food intolerance affects mainly the skin and GIT; in some cases it is responsible about undiagnosed headaches and mood changes."
"Avoidance of allergic food, after confirmed diagnosis, is the most important tool for the management of food hypersensitivity reactions." He said the allergy-causing food should be replaced in the patient's diet.
Dr Arafa stressed that avoidance should be under doctors' advice as they can set a dietary plan for the patient that includes nutrients and minerals.
"Doctors should learn how to deal with the psychological fears of the food allergy patient and their relatives," he said. "Decreasing of these fears could be done by giving every detail to the patient about his or her allergies and the right step that needs to be taken should such symptoms appear."
Have you noticed any intolerance to certain food items in the recent past? Were these issues due to a change in diet or lifestyle?
