Stomach Pains or Bowel Problems? It could be Allergies
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Here’s an interesting bit of news for those of you with bowel problems. A new study from Rush University Medical Centre, Chicago, found patients with allergic eczema were almost 4 time more likely to also have irritable bowel sydrome (IBS). And IBS was 2.67 times higher in hayfever. IBS or spastic colon is the most common of the bowel disorders, and can cause abdominal pain, constipation or diarreah.
According to the researchers, AE (allergic eczema) in early childhood is so stronglyassociated with gastrointestinal problems and food allergy in early childhood (this is also my experience) that the presence of allergic eczema can help identify children likely to develop gut problems. An earlier report in Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (Jan 2007) suggested a link between Asthma and Irritable Bowel Syndrome as well.
I’m not at all surprised . Many patients with allergies have gut problems, including ‘Leaky Gut’, a condition where the gut lining is damaged, allowing undigested food, bacteria and toxins to escape into the blood stream before they are properly processed. Trying to cope with these invaders, the immune system can be overstressed, and can become hypersensitive, leading to allergies. On the other hand, if you’ve already got allergies, gut problems can only make them worse.
That’s why a key element of the BioFAST allergy program used at my clinics is gut healing.
If you’re experiencing digestive or bowel problems, you should get yourself tested for possible allergies or food intolerances before looking for other causes.
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Category: Blog
