Is There a Connection Between Allergies and Ailments?

What is an allergy? An allergy is an adverse immune system reaction to a substance that most people find harmless. According to Naturopathic Doctor, Konrad Kail, "What might surprise you is that your child's ear infections or your spouse's digestive problems may stem from allergies, too. Recent research suggests allergies manifest as various ailments and disorders, from headaches to autism, and allergies can occur at just about anytime, in just about anybody." Allergies can be grouped into two categories, environmental allergies and food allergies. Environmental Allergies The most common form of environmental allergies is caused by the pollen from various plants, but dust mites, mold and smoke are also common causes of allergies. Lesser known causes of environmental allergies include cosmetics, perfumes, cleaning products and fabrics. Chemical sensitivity was studied as early as the 1940's by Dr. Theron Randolph, who was an environmental medicine pioneer. He observed the link between allergies and the prevalence of chemicals and toxins in our environment, like pesticides in food, heavy metals in water, vehicle exhaust in the air, synthetic chemicals in personal hygiene products, cleaning supplies and building materials. It is estimated that 1,000 new chemicals are introduced into the environment every year. Food Allergies Both physical and mental disorders can be caused by allergic reactions to food. In recent years a growing number of studies have been conducted linking food allergies to a wide spectrum of health conditions. Food allergies have been defined by some as an adverse immunological response to certain foods. The foods most commonly found to cause allergies include wheat, corn, milk, egg whites, tomatoes, soy, shellfish, peanuts, chocolate, as well as food dyes and additives. Sulfites have been found to cause allergies and have been known to trigger headaches and hyperactivity in children. As our food and environment become increasingly saturated with pollutants and chemicals, the body's mechanisms for elimination of toxins cannot keep up with the chemical deluge. An overburdened immune system ultimately becomes hypersensitive and allergies to food, airborne agents and chemicals, develop.