Successfully managing food sensitivities can be challenging. Until a patient is accurately diagnosed using food allergy testing, many will remain uncertain of their actual trigger foods, and struggle to find effective coping strategies. Fortunately, leading Atlanta allergists can develop a personalized treatment plan that transforms a person’s health. With the right management approach, patients can enjoy improved nutrition, increased energy, along with renewed confidence about the food choices they make.
What Are the Best Food Sensitivity Management Strategies?
“Food sensitivity” is a term that’s often used to include food allergies as well as food intolerances, but note that these things are not the same. To effectively manage a sensitivity, your allergist will need to precisely identify how your body reacts to your trigger foods.
Perform Food Allergy Testing
Food allergy testing involves an analysis of your medical symptoms and the process of identifying how your immune system responds to specific allergens. There are several testing approaches available, including skin prick testing, blood testing and following a food elimination diet.
Skin prick testing involves placing allergens on the forearm and scratching the skin to monitor for an immediate allergic reaction. Alternatively, blood testing screens for raised levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. A food elimination diet is among the best food sensitivity tests available, as it removes suspected trigger foods from your diet before restoring them, then checking for a response.
Identify a Food Allergy vs. Food Intolerance
An allergist will identify the most appropriate food allergy test (or tests) after assessing the patient’s medical history, symptoms, prescribed medications and diet. While food allergies and intolerances can certainly lead to similar symptoms (including skin reactions, congestion and itching), they are actually different issues.
It works like this – food allergies trigger an immune system response, while food intolerances affect the digestive system (and are generally less severe). Managing food sensitivity requires a comprehensive evaluation of both allergy test results and symptoms to fully understand how a person responds to certain foods.
Develop a Customized Food Sensitivity Treatment Plan
The most effective food allergy treatment will be one that is tailored to the patient’s needs. For a person with an allergy to peanuts, tree nuts, eggs and milk, oral immunotherapy treatment (OIT) is often a viable option. This treatment desensitizes the immune system to an allergen using increasing doses over time. Allergists may also recommend medications to minimize the immune system response and interrupt a severe reaction.
Regularly Monitor for Changes
Periodic food allergy testing will help identify any changes in sensitivity. For example, most people have heard that children may grow out of an allergy (and this is true), yet this change cannot be confirmed without completing the testing process. Similarly, completing OIT will change how the body reacts to food exposure. As sensitivities change or improve over time, new food allergy treatment options can be introduced and monitored.
Best Food Sensitivity Management in Atlanta
If you’re experiencing signs of a food allergy, visit one of our treatment centers for expert allergy testing. Our allergy specialists will identify a food allergy treatment plan for long-lasting relief. Call (678) 668-4688 or request an appointment today.
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