Allergy Testing

INCREASED SPECIAL WHITE BLOOD CELLS IN INTESTINE IS THE EARLIES SIGN OF GLUTEN INTOLERANCE AND CELIAC DISEASE

Specialized white blood cells known as lymphocytes are present in the tips of the villi of small intestine. They are believed to be important in surveying the digestive tract for potential invaders or attacks from viruses, bacteria and parasites. In the context of leaky gut that can occur from eating gluten containing grains and flour, these lymphocytes can increase in numbers at the tips of the intestinal villi. This change is critical in the development of celiac disease (CD).

INCREASES IN INTESTINAL LYMPHOCYTES CAN BE SEEN UNDER THE MICROSCOPE BEFORE DAMAGE OF THE INTESTINE LINING IS SEEN

Though not specific for CD, increased lymphocytes in the tips of the villi, also known as increased intraepithelial lymphocytosis, is accepted as the earliest sign of gluten intolerance in the gut. This increase when significant is obvious to most pathologists reviewing biopsy slides from tissue obtained from the intestine during a scope examination. However, this may not be obvious without an objective count of the number lymphocytes in the tips of the intestinal villi.

HOW DO THE PATHOLOGISTS COUNT THE NUMBER OF LYMPHOCYTES IN THE INTESTINAL LINING AND WHAT IS NORMAL?

Most pathologists either report the number of IEL's per 20 intestinal lining cells (enterocytes) or per 100 enterocytes. Generally there are only 1-4 lymphocytes in the tips of each villous where there are typically 20 intestinal cells. When the pathologist or a computerized counting microscope reports or counts the lymphocytes per 100 intestinal cells there are usually no more than 12-15 per 100 intestinal lining cells. In the past, 40 lymphocytes per 100 intestinal cells (or about 8 per villous tip) was considered the cut off for abnormal. More recently that number has been lowered to 30 lymphocytes per 100 intestinal or epithelial cells (about 6 per villous tip). There are some researchers who believe the number should be lowered to 25 per 100 (or about 5 per villous tip).

WHAT ARE CAUSES OF INCREASED WHITE BLOOD CELLS OR LYMPHOCYTES IN THE INTESTINE?

Celiac disease is the most common but infection from the ulcer causing bacterium Helicobacter pylori or the parasite giardia can be a cause as well as recent viral infection. Cow's milk protein sensitivity and allergy is also a cause. Though not well established, it is believed that the number of lymphocytes in conditions other than Celiac disease or gluten intolerance may not be as high.

Inflammatory conditions in the esophagus, stomach, distal small bowel or colon may be associated with increased IEL's in those areas but the number has not been well studied. There is a concern that some pathologists may falsely attribute increased duodenal lymphocytes to associated inflammation going on in either the esophagus or stomach. Increased lympnocytes have been noted in the gut above the duodenum (esophagus and stomach) and below the jejunum (ileum and colon) in both celiac and microscopic or collagenous colitis caused by gluten sensitivity.

WHAT IS CELIAC DISEASE?

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease of gluten intolerance or sensitivity not a food allergy though many people mistakenly refer to it as gluten allergy or wheat allergy. Previously thought to be rare it is now known to be very common, affecting 1/100 worldwide.

Celiac Sprue, as CD is also commonly known, is definitively diagnosed by the combination positive results for specific blood antibodies for CD, either endomysial (EMA) or tissue transglutaminase (tTG); a characteristic small intestine biopsy; and response to a gluten-free diet (GFD). Classically, flattening of the intestinal villi, known as villous atrophy, has been the gold standard for diagnosis. Positive EMA or tTG tests without villous atrophy on biopsy but increased IEL's is accepted as diagnostic in the context of response to GFD, especially when an individual is positive for one of the two predisposing genes, DQ2 or DQ8.

WHAT DID THIS RECENT STUDY FIND REGARDING THE NUMBERS OF LYMPHOCYTES IN THE DIGESTIVE LINING?

A recent study of biopsies of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum of 46 people without Celiac disease reached several conclusions. Though there may be a slight increase in lymphocytes in esophagitis and gastritis, the difference in lymphocyte numbers is not significantly different in normal biopsies of the esophagus and stomach. Though general ranges of duodenal lymphocytes found in active esophagitis (2-13, average 8.8), active gastritis with Helicobacter pylori infection (2-13, average 7.2) and chronic gastritis without H. pylori infection (4-20, average 10.2) was very similar to those with negative esophagus, stomach and duodenal biopsies (2-18, average 6.7) the average number of lymphocytes was slightly higher, though not statistically significant.

WHAT MIGHT THIS TELL US ABOUT LYMPHOCYTE NUMBERS IN THE INTESTINE?

In my opinion, I believe this study showed that the numbers of lymphocytes in people with normal biopsies, esophagitis and gastritis were significantly lower than those reported in people with Celiac disease (>30/100 ) and early gluten injury (20-25/100 enterocytes) but not meeting diagnostic criteria for Celiac disease. I believe this study is helpful because it argues against attributing more than 20-25 lymphocytes/ 100 enterocytes to other inflammatory processes in the esophagus or stomach. It also supports the findings of other studies that have found that >20-25 /100 as an early sign of gluten sensitivity.

WHAT ABOUT LYMPHOCYTE COUNTS LESS THAN 30 BUT 25 OR MORE?

In the context of elevated gliadin antibody levels I believe that intestinal lymphocyte counts in the villi of 25 or more likely indicates gluten sensitivity though it does not necessarliy mean Celiac disease. Strict criteria for diagnosing of this disease require a positive specific blood test such as endomysial antibody or tissue transglutaminase antibody and >30 IEL's/100 enterocytes and evidence of villous atrophy on small intestinal biopsy.

WHAT SHOULD I TAKE FROM THIS?

If you have had an intestinal biopsy but were told you did not have signs of Celiac disease, I recommend you consider asking that biopsy be reviewed by another pathologist who has experience in Celiac disease and you ask them to provide you with the number of lymphocytes in the villi. If they provided the number and you find there were 30 or more then that is clearly abnormal and can be diagnostic of Celiac disease if you have a positive specific blood test such as the endomysial or tissue transglutaminase antibodies, especially if you carry either the DQ2 and/or the DQ8 genetics. If you have less than 30 lymphocytes per 100 enterocytes but 20 or more and have a gliadin antibody elevation I would recommend you get HLA DQ genetic testing and try a gluten free diet.

How many times have you heard someone say: "I think I'm coming down with a cold."? No doubt many times. In fact, most of us have said that or made a similar statement, ourselves. Now a days when someone I know tells me that I usually reply: "Could it be allergies?" Because many of those "colds" are probably allergy reactions to the environment. As I look back to my childhood days one cannot, but wonder at the strong possibility that all those tablespoons of cod liver oil my mother faithfully administered----in their full natural flavor, as commonly done in those days--to prevent my getting a "cold," although not a bad idea were probably unnecessary since my frequent runny nose, coughing and post nasal drip were very likely caused by allergens. Even, perhaps, by the thick smog that had developed in the large city I grew up in.

As I studied my sinus problem several years ago, I came to the conclusion that the two main causes of my problem were: some foods and environmental allergies. Whenever I indulged in a milk shake or a large serving of ice cream I had serious post nasal drip in a matter of hours. And whenever I had a large glass of cow's milk 3 or more days in a row I had the same result. I would stop drinking milk for several days or stop eating ice cream and the sinuses would clear up in just a few days. The seeming correlation became so obvious that I finally decided, a number of years ago, to stop using these food items on a regular basis and, of course, the sinuses cleared up indefinitely.

Then came spring time and as weeds and their flowers, and trees and their own flowers made their appearance once again in our area, the same allergic reaction I had had to the foods already mentioned, above, began to reappear, except that  I wasn't using them. So, it became obvious that I was allergic to certain pollens and probably other allergens. I had pollen allergy tests made and sure enough there were a number of pollens I was very allergic to. With these results on hand the only alternative I had was: move to a place where there were not pollens I was allergic to--probably something rather impossible--or begin to receive allergy injections on a regular basis. I opted for the latter.

Several years went by and we moved farther North where carpets are more commonly used than in the Southwest and I began to once again have "cold" symptoms. At least that's what we thought at first. Since I was hardly using cow's milk and had resumed the allergy injections my wife and I wondered, what could the cause of the post nasal drip, etc., be this time. So I went back to an allergy specialist in our new area. After doing some testing he found I was very allergic to house dust. In the process of being given the allergy tests I found that not all house dust is created equal. Some dusts contain large amounts of dust mite droppings. This kind of mites thrive in a humid and warm environment, like the one produced by the human body while lying in bed, where the mites eat mostly microscopic particles of human skin that rubs off there and on the carpet. The tests did show I was very allergic to that kind of house dust. Thereupon I was given minute instructions by my doctor on how to shield my bed from the little varmints and their droppings. The devastating allergic effects I was having began to subside, especially when to my allergy injections was added the dust mite droppings antigen.

There can definitely be an allergy connection to sinus pressure and other sinus problems. My case is not unique. If one is suffering from ongoing sinus problems it might not be a bad idea to consider testing for allergies to the environment and possibly foods, especially if your health insurance covers these tests.

Suffering from diarrhoea, abdominal pain and / or weight loss? These are some of the key symptoms that might alert a doctor to the possibility of coeliac disease or an issue with gluten. Research, however suggests that individuals suffering from these 'classic' symptoms are merely the tip of the iceberg and that there are many, many more people who are likely to be affected..

So how does Coeliac Disease differ from gluten intolerance?

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disease where in genetically susceptible individuals the villi in the small intestine (where food is absorbed), are progressively destroyed causing nutrient malabsorption. In non - coeliac gluten intolerance this villi damage does not happen, although gluten intolerance has still been associated with many serious health issues as we shall see

So what health issues are caused by gluten?

In some individuals the presenting symptoms will be similar to those described above, however in the majority of cases, ( yes it is important to note that it is in fact the majority of cases!), symptoms will be different or in fact there may be no symptoms at all. If symptoms are present then these may include digestive issues such as constipation, indigestion, bloating and flatulence. Alternatively signs and symptoms seemingly unrelated to the gut might emerge such as headaches, depression, schizophrenia, skin problems such as psoriasis and eczema and other autoimmune conditions such as hashimotos thyroiditis, graves disease, MS, lupus, abnormal liver function tests, infertility, anaemia, B12 deficiency and tiredness.

But if I've been tested then I have no need to worry do I?

In the UK, the main way that Coeliac disease is screened for is initially by a blood test for anti transglutaminase antibodies. Sometimes anti endomysial antibodies are also included. If the blood results come back as normal, then the individual is generally considered to be coeliac free and no further testing is deemed necessary. Generally they are told that they can continue to eat gluten and the case is closed. The problem with this is that the blood tests are in fact very accurate, very accurate indeed - if and here's the big 'if' - you have total villous atrophy. Research indicates than in this scenario the tests are 90-95% accurate

However, the damage caused by coeliac disease doesn't happen overnight. You don't go to bed with perfectly healthy villi one day and wake up the next with them totally flattened. It takes time to happen and in some individuals it can take years and years. During this time you may or may not be experiencing any signs or symptoms related to gluten intolerance, but if you are susceptible then an inflammatory process is going on and sooner or later it will make itself known one way or another.

An additional problem with this test is that IgA anti tissue transglutaminase and anti endomysial antibodies are measured. This is fine provided the individual has adequate levels of IgA antibodies. However we know from research that IgA deficiency is more prevalent in coeliacs. This means that a negative result on a coeliac test may be caused by this IgA deficiency and may in fact be a false negative.

More false negatives may be found on tests from individuals who have suspected a gluten intolerance and have attempted to self medicate by avoiding wheat and other gluten containing grains.

So if the Coeliac tests aren't that accurate then how else can I find out if gluten is a problem for me?

Although there are no 100% fool proof tests for gluten sensitivity you can increase the reliability of the tests by requesting a total IgA test to see whether IgA deficiency is an issue for you. It is also worth getting tested for both anti tissue transglutaminase and anti endomysial antibodies (both IgA and IgG). Research shows that including both markers increases the accuracy of the test and helps with diagnosis. Genetic testing for coeliac disease is also available and if positive increases the likelihood of gluten being an issue for you.

If the Coeliac markers are still negative then it is worth having a blood test which measures levels of antibodies (IgG and IgA) to gliadin (the toxic element of gluten). Unlike the other antibodies, which are autoimmune antibodies, anti- gliadin antibodies are antibodies to the food itself. We produce them in much the same way as we produce antibodies to milk proteins, egg proteins or to other foods and it is possible that these may be produced before we start producing autoimmune antibodies. This test is also useful for detecting non celiac gluten intolerance.

The bottom line however is this: if you know that gluten disagrees with you or you have a history of gluten intolerance or coeliac disease in your family it would be sensible to strictly avoid gluten to prevent the likelihood of developing one of the many diseases associated with gluten sensitivity.

Penis sensation loss can occur in men of all ages. Even individuals in their late teens and early twenties report experiencing loss of feeling in the glans and/or shaft - a potentially devastating problem that can seriously affect a man's quality of life. As with many other physiological issues, early detection is critical in treating penis problems successfully. Following these simple steps can help to determine whether there is any reduction in sensitivity that warrants attention from a urologist. Testing will be more effective if done with the help of a partner.

1. In a standing position, close your eyes and run your fingers lightly up and down the shaft of the penis and over the head (or have your partner do so). This is best done during an erection. Note any point at which the touch feels less pronounced or is absent altogether.

2. If any areas of reduced feeling or numbness are noted, follow the same procedure, using an ice cube instead of the finger tips. Again, note which parts of the penis appear to be affected.

If loss of penis sensation is detected, further testing may be necessary to determine the underlying cause. Some common reasons for lost penis sensation are as follows:

1. Neurologic pathology- damage to the nerve tissue responsible for transmitting tactile sensations to the brain are often at the root of reduced sensitivity. Men with diabetes are at an increased risk for neurological issues. Trauma to the pelvic nerves and degenerative disk disease may also cause loss of nerve function. A neurologist can determine whether nerve damage is present through a standard procedure known as electromyography, or EMG, which tests for neural activity between the brain and penis.

2. Circulatory problems- chronic pressure in the perineal area (resulting from obesity, cycling, or aggressive horseback riding), restrictive clothing, smoking, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and varicose veins may reduce circulation, resulting in tingling, numbness and chronic loss of sensation.

3. Keratinization of the skin cells- friction from dry rubbing or intercourse, as well as irritation from clothing, detergents, soaps and fragrances, may damage the outer layers of the skin. This tissue responds to the damage by forming a thickened layer of protein cells known as keratin, which functions as a layer of protection against further damage. However, this "armoring" process can detract from the natural sensitivity of the penis, causing loss of pleasure in sexual stimulation, and in some cases, loss of function.

Protecting against desensitization and restoring penis feeling

While it may not always be possible to prevent sensation loss, there are measures that all men can take to reduce the risk of future problems, and in some cases, sensation may even be restored with the proper attention to penis care. Some suggestions for preventing loss of sensation include:

繚 Wearing loose, non-restrictive clothing;

繚 Following a healthy diet that is high in protein and fiber and low in fat;

繚 Quitting smoking;

繚 Avoiding the use of recreational substances;

繚 Losing weight;

繚 Using lubrication during masturbation or sex;

繚 Changing sexual positions;

繚 Alternating self-pleasuring techniques and using a soft touch, rather than a firm grip;

繚 Using mild cleansers and non-allergenic laundry detergents.

In addition, a smoothing and restorative penis vitamin cream containing penis-specific nutrients (most health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) such as vitamin A (for smooth, supple skin); vitamin C (for immune function, collagen formation and healthy circulatory tissue); alpha lipoic acid (for stimulating blood flow); l-arginine and acetyl-l-carnitine (for nerve cell repair and healthy metabolic function), as well as natural, plant-based moisturizers such as shea butter can help to prevent loss of sensation and may even help to restore lost feeling in the penis.

 For some, hives are a regular occurrence and can feel like more of a nuisance than an illness. One of the most important steps in preventing the different types of hives is knowing which type is occurring and what can be done in the way of prevention. The medical term for hives skin disorder is urticaria. Other phrases used are wheals and nettle rash. Here is a brief description of the three main types of hives:

Idiopathic hives: Idiopathic hives are possibly the most difficult to treat and live with, simply because there is no identified medical cause, they just happen. Although there are no proven triggers for idiopathic hives, many sufferers develop their own personal theory by studying their history and try to avoid certain foods, activities, animals, environments and even household cleaners.

Immunological hives: These kinds of hives are generally caused by changes in the sufferer's immune system. The most common cause of these hives is coming into contact with a potentially harmful trigger such as an allergy or illness. This initial contact leads cells in the immune system to release histamine from white blood cells or as they are sometimes called, mast cells. For example an individual who suffers from an immune deficiency may experience immunological hives on a regular basis.

Non-Immunological hives: These types of hives are the most common and are often related to acidic foods, harsh chemicals, perfumes and are often a symptom of food allergies. When suffering from non immunological hives the body responds similarly to that of immunological hives but does not involve the immune system. For example, an individual who is mildly allergic to peanuts may experience non immunological hives in conjunction with other allergy symptoms.

Remember, although hives are rarely serious, the allergies which cause them can be. If you are experiencing reoccurring hives speak to your physician and consider testing for allergies and unknown immune deficiencies.

Knowledge is power! Being well informed about Sexually Transmitted Diseases or STDs is your first step in fighting the disease. As the name suggests, STDs are commonly transmitted by infected individuals through unprotected sexual intercourse. Some strains of STDs can be transmitted by direct contact with the infected person through exposure to open sores and infectious body fluids and discharges. A drug user sharing unsanitary needles is another way to get infected. Sexually active people with multiple partners, having same sex intercourse, sex with a STD infected person and the practice of unprotected sex exposes one to a high risk of STD infection.

STD is life threatening. Though this disease is either bacterial or viral in nature both are very infectious. The effects on the patient can be devastating and can even develop to more complicated health problems. Some strains of Bacterial STDs are curable but are very recurrent. Viral STDs have no proven cure. The treatment for this type of STD is for the alleviation of its symptoms and to prevent its further development and transmission.

STD symptoms are hard to detect. Some types may show no visible symptoms at all making it difficult for the person to know that he is infected. The best thing to do when a person suspects that he is exposed to infection is to go to undergo a physical examination in an STD testing center. Some STDs may show symptoms that may be confused for a harmless allergy or a typical flu so it is best being checked to eliminate the probability of misdiagnosis.

STD is a long list of diseases. To be specific, these diseases are Chlamydia, Genital Herpes (HSV-2), Genital Warts, Gonorrhea, Hepatitis B (HBV), HIV and AIDS, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), Pubic Lice (CRABS), Syphilis, Trichomoniasis and Bacterial Vaginosis (BV). It is not enough to know the names and nature of these diseases. To really win the battle against STDs is to prevent the disease from infecting people and from spreading further.

STD testing centers provide services for the prevention and treatment of this disease. Educating the general public on how this disease can be transmitted as well its harmful effects on the human body is essential for its prevention. By providing counseling to people who are of great risk of exposure to STD can help lessen the occurrence of STDs. Thru counseling, high risk candidates are given tips on how to avoid infection by way of changing their sexual behavior and practices.

Identifying the asymptomatic symptoms of infected patients can result to the proper diagnosis and treatment of this disease. Evaluation, treatment and counseling are also extended to the sexual partners of infected people. This prevents the further transmission of STDs to other sexual partners and the re-infection of the disease once the patient has been treated. Another service STD centers have is to give pre-exposure vaccinations of preventable STDs to persons at risk but not yet infected. Vaccinations for the prevention of Hepatitis can be given to patients who do not show any symptoms of this disease.

Gluten is a substance that is found in several grains, most commonly in wheat, that can wreak havoc on the digestive system and be at the root of many health issues. Even symptoms that you think may have nothing to do with a food allergy can be caused by an intolerance to gluten. Researchers are finding that people may be placed on a spectrum of gluten intolerance: those who are very tolerant at one end, and those who have celiac disease at the other.

How Do You Know if You're Gluten Intolerant?

Not everyone who has a gluten intolerance will test positive for celiac disease. If you have certain health problems that you just can't seem to get rid of, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a mood disorder, or persistent skin irritation, a gluten-free diet may be the answer you are looking for. A good way to determine intolerance is to try removing all gluten-containing products from your diet for three to four weeks. If your symptoms subside when it is removed, you may have your answer.

There are a variety of health issues that can surface as a result of gluten intolerance. Digestive problems, undiagnosed symptoms, and other issues that occur even after testing negative for celiac disease are a few signs that a change in diet may be in order.

You Have Leaky Gut or Other Digestive Problems

Leaky gut occurs when the lining of the intestine has been damaged to the point where toxins and food can pass through and enter into the bloodstream. This not only causes digestive problems, but also compromises your immune system, making you susceptible to whatever is going around.

Gluten attaches to the lining of the intestine, which causes it to tear. Healthy bacteria, also called probiotics, are destroyed and nutrient-absorbing villi are damaged. If you have gluten sensitivities, you may even have symptoms of malnutrition because your body is unable to absorb vital nutrients as a result of this injury.

You Can't Seem to Get Rid of Your Symptoms

The damage that is done to your intestinal lining can lead to a host of health problems. From irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) to fibromyalgia, gluten can be the root cause of a wide range of issues.

People who suffer from celiac disease or gluten intolerance may also have a lack of energy, problems with mood swings and depression, or itchy rashes.

You Tested Negative for Celiac Disease, But Your Symptoms Persist

In order to test for celiac disease, two types of antibodies are measured from blood samples. These "anti-gluten" antibodies help determine the presence of the disease.

There are several reasons why a person may test negative for celiac yet still have the disease, or some level of gluten intolerance. Some people are genetically deficient in these antibodies. Also, since the antibodies are viewed under a microscope to determine the presence of the disease, human error also comes into play. Certain test kits are more accurate than others, and some may produce a false negative result. If the person who is being tested hasn't recently eaten gluten, the anti-gluten antibodies will be reduced.

Some people say that a gluten-free diet is just a fad, but many doctors are discovering that gluten sensitivity is a real problem for a large portion of the population. Grains have been consumed for many years, but today's grains have been hybridized and engineered to be more prolific and pest-resistant, resulting in new compounds that have the potential to be quite damaging to human beings. An elimination diet, one in which you remove all gluten from every source for a period of several weeks to a month, should help you to determine if your persistent symptoms are due to a gluten intolerance.

A growing number of studies confirm that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children is partially triggered by sensitivities to substances in food. When children ingest these foods, they experience physical changes like gastrointestinal problems and glazed eyes, or behavioral problems like mood swings, uncontrollable hyperactivity, and inattention. These discoveries led ADHD experts to consider diet and nutrition plans as part of a comprehensive, all-natural approach to ADHD management.

Before we can even speak about ADHD diets, we need to know what specific foods your child is allergic to so we can exclude these from your child's meals. One way we can identify these foods is through an elimination diet, a trial-and-error procedure that involves removing food groups and observing your child for any improvement in symptoms. While elimination diets are a surefire way of identifying which specific foods your child is intolerant to, this is a lengthy procedure that often takes weeks, if not months, of careful monitoring. If you do not have the time to do an elimination diet, you can test for food allergies through a blood test. But take note that food intolerances are different from the classic allergy, and that there is a specific kind of blood test you have to take for food intolerances.

A typical allergic reaction occurs through a specific antibody called immunoglobins E or IgE. IgE antibodies are released by the immune system when it detects the presence of an allergen in the body. When IgE antibodies come out, the child experiences standard reactions like watery eyes, hives, or swollen lips. To get rid of this allergic reaction, an allergist will give a shot made up of a low level allergen so that the immune system does not produce an IgE reaction. The dose is gradually increased until the child becomes tolerant to that allergen. While this method suppresses the allergic reaction, it does not identify the specific substance that causes the allergy.

Food intolerances are a type of allergic reaction, but they work through a different mechanism. Instead of releasing IgE antibodies, the immune system releases IgG antibodies, manifesting in more subtle ways like behavioral problems, inattention, and other symptoms of ADHD. What makes detecting IgG allergic reactions even trickier is that they are delayed-onset allergies. This means that the allergic reaction does not occur until days after the child has eaten the food he or she is intolerant to.

To confirm if your child has an IgG food intolerance, he or she will have to take a blood test designed to identify IgG allergic reactions. The ALCAT (sometimes referred to in Europe as the CytoToxic Test) is one of the best tests for determining food intolerances because, unlike other IgG and IgE tests, it examines the blood directly and looks at all immune pathways for possible reactions. After a blood sample is taken, the lab technician identifies delayed onset allergies by observing how white blood cells and red blood cells react when they are exposed to certain foods. Red and white blood cell samples literally explode when allergens are introduced. What's also great about the ALCAT is that the test is not limited to detecting food intolerances; it can also identify reactions to artificial additives, antibiotics, environmental chemicals, and pharmacological ingredients.

Another method of testing for food intolerances is through a technique called manual muscle testing, or kinesiology. The test works by examining the strength of the child's muscle when he or she is asked to hold bottles containing food extracts. If an originally strong muscle becomes weaker as the extract is held, the child may be intolerant to that food extract. Studies show that muscle kinesiology has a 90% correlation with results of IgE testing.

IgG food tests are techniques that cannot be found in Western medicine. If you think the ALCAT test or the muscle kinesiology test can help your child, ask a holistic health care practitioner or chiropractor to help you order and interpret the results of these tests.

Mold is common in all our homes and doesn't usually cause any severe health problems. It stuffs you up, makes your eyes red, gives you a cough or a headache; it's a pain and should be got rid of, but it's not lethal.

However, there are some varieties of black mold that have toxicity. Prolonged exposure to toxic mold can lead to serious, life-threatening problems. This is why you need to be aware of the symptoms of black mold toxicity.

- Sinus trouble. The most common symptom of exposure to black mold is sinus trouble. This includes nasal congestion, runny nose and sinus headaches. These sinus symptoms are caused by both non-toxic and toxic mold, so with this symptom alone it may be difficult to tell for sure.

- Skin rashes and hives. Your skin doesn't like toxic mold and will do anything it can to resist it. This is why some people experience rashes and other skin problems when they are exposed to toxic mold. It is a natural reaction to the black mold's toxicity, and you should see a doctor immediately.

- Cough and sore throat - If you have a cough or sore throat that just won't go away, you may be suffering from black mold exposure. Regular mold is hazardous to health and can cause some coughing and throat irritation, but if it is ongoing, that is a sign that the black mold contains some toxicity.

- Asthma. The exact causes of asthma are unknown, but studies have shown that exposure to toxic mold, especially in youth, can lead to the development of asthma. If you find yourself developing asthma-like symptoms, it may be an indication that there is toxic black mold present.

- Dizziness or light-headedness. This often goes with the sinus symptoms, and is an indication that the mold in your home contains some toxicity. It means that the mold spores that have entered your body have released toxins that are disturbing your whole system.

- Nausea - Regular mold produces cold or sinus symptoms, but toxic mold may affect your stomach and digestive system. This is because the toxicity can affect any part of your body. If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, you have been poisoned by toxic black mold and should seek medical help.

- Fatigue - Toxic black mold can make you feel tired and lethargic all the time, even when you've had a good night's sleep. Black mold's toxicity has an effect on your immune system, breaking down your body's natural defenses, and this can lead to excessive fatigue.

- Memory loss or trouble hearing. If spores enter your respiratory system, the toxicity of the mold can work on your brain. Once the toxins are in the bloodstream, they can go to any part of your body. This is why some people who have been poisoned by black mold lose their memory or hearing.

- Bleeding Lungs - In severe cases of toxic black mold poisoning, you may suffer bleeding in the lungs. This is very severe and will require hospitalization. At this point, the toxicity is well inside your system.

If you suffer any of these symptoms, or suspect that you may have toxic black mold, you should hire an inspector to test your home. They can take samples from the mold itself, or test the air for spores. They will send these samples to a lab for analysis and tell you what they find. If you find any mold at all in your house, you should remove it as quickly as possible and remove the conditions that allow it to grow.

The idea that oranges are considered a possible trigger for migraine has surprised many of us, as orange juice is usually considered to be beneficial in our diet

Not if you are sensitive to citrus. The citrus group of foods, which includes fruits such as oranges, lemons, limes and grapefruit, is a known allergen. Additionally, a lot of commercial orange juice is squeezed with the rind on, subsequently bruising it and releasing synephrine, a vasoconstrictor.

There have been links between migraine headaches and synephrine as well as related vasoconstrictors, so it makes sense that this could be a trigger. Many patients found that freshly squeezed orange juice made at home caused them no problems.

A 2004 study found that: "In migraine patients, plasma levels of octopamine and synephrine were higher compared with controls, although in migraine with aura, the difference was not significant".(1)

Synephrine is a stimulant that raises blood pressure, which can also cause migraines. The theory being that migraine sufferers with a citrus allergy can gain relief from a low dosage of daily blood pressure medication.

Citrus fruits also cause magnesium deficiency in some patients, and magnesium deficiency has been linked to migraine without aura. In a study where thirty migraine patients were treated with magnesium versus ten treated with placebo, the number of patients experiencing relief was so high that the possibility of the test results being coincidental was less than a 1 in 1000 chance.(2) The magnesium was administered as a magnesium citrate supplement, 600mg per day, orally. Patients were assessed by computerized tomography before and after the three month treatment period.

Citrus fruits also contain histamine, another suspect in food related allergies. A study at Texas Tech in El Paso TX found a correlation between high histamine levels and migraine attacks in susceptible persons. Antihistamines would seem to be a logical choice for treatment!(3)

An unhappy relationship between hypoglycemia and migraine can be heightened by drinking of orange juice, lemonade or other citrus juice in an attempt to raise the blood sugar - the orange juice can actually increase the migraine pain and the blood sugar level is blamed instead. This justifies the importance of maintaining a food diary and testing for food allergies.(4)

One woman related how she had taken migraine medication daily for years, washing it down with an 8 oz glass of orange juice each morning. Finally, when her sons were diagnosed, it became apparent that by giving them juice daily, she had simply been stimulating the cycle of migraines. Incidentally, orange flavored drinks such as Tang and Sunny D also contain migraine triggering substances similar to the natural fruits, so if citrus is a problem for you, avoid them as well!

Elimination of citrus is much simpler than many other migraine trigger foods, and is relatively easy to live without. For people suffering severe food intolerance migraines, living without orange juice, lemonade and key lime pie was a minor exclusion from their diet.

Sources:

(1) pubmed15159465.do, Cure Hunter, 05/25/2004
(2) Magnesium Research, Jun 2008;21(2):101-8. PMID: 18705538, by Koseoglu E, Talaslioglu A, Gonul AS, Kula M. Erciyes University, Medicine Faculty, Neurology Department, Kayseri, Turkey
(3) Mansfield LE , Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology. 86(4 Pt 2):673-6, 1990 Oct.
(4) Leira R, Rodriguez R, Revista de Neurologia 1996 May;24(129):534-8

Research by Grace Alexander