Gastrointestinal Disorders Caused by Immune Responses to Foods

The food that we eat can have a major impact on the health of our bodies. Some foods may cause significant weight gain and others may strengthen our bones but there are some foods that, unknown to some, cause drastic immune responses. The immune systems of some individuals may have a tendency to react poorly to certain foods and possibly reveal a deeper issue happening in the body. 

What Are Gastrointestinal Disorders?

Gastrointestinal disorder is an umbrella term that encompasses any disease that occurs in the gastrointestinal tract which is a passage from the mouth to the anus. There are many opportunities for digestion to go wrong or for the body to incorrectly process a certain food. Specific digestive disorders will need to be properly diagnosed by a medical professional. 

How Foods Can Cause Irregular Immune Responses and Gastrointestinal Disorders

Exposure to certain foods can trigger certain gastrointestinal autoimmune disorders. There are several autoimmune disorders that can affect the digestive system, a few of the most common include:

  • Ulcerative Colitis- This is an inflammatory bowel disease caused by overeating or eating incredibly rich or heavy foods. After consuming these foods it will become difficult and painful for you to stand resulting in internal bleeding ulcers and bloody stool. Additionally, the immune system may begin to attack the colon and rectum which can, in turn, worsen the ulcers. 
  • Crohn’s Disease- This disease involves the body misidentifying food as either a toxin or a disease and sends cells to fight it. This can result in bloody stool, fatigue, and problems digesting certain foods. This disease is not contained to one area of the body. It can appear anywhere along the gastrointestinal tract as well as anywhere along the digestive tract. Those who experience this disease may want to avoid consuming foods that are rich or spicy in order to better contain their symptoms. 
  • Celiac Disease- This disease is characterized by a person’s inability to digest the gluten protein. When gluten is ingested, their body’s immune system will begin to attack the lining of the small intestine which leads to severe symptoms such as stomach cramps, intense bloating, vomiting, and diarrhea. Celiac disease is very different from having a gluten intolerance, as the symptoms of this disease are far more severe than that of an intolerance.

The commonality surrounding all of these diseases is inflammation. When triggering foods are consumed, the organs begin to swell and the immune system goes on high alert. Those who have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder relating to food should take great care in avoiding any foods that may be upsetting for their bodies. Those who experience any of the above symptoms who have not been diagnosed with any kind of disorder should seek treatment by a medical professional immediately.  

How We Can Help

When you come to the medical professionals at Allergy Associates, we will put forth all of our efforts into understanding what may be triggering your gastrointestinal disorder and how to move forward with your treatment. Our goal is to provide you with the best comprehensive treatment for your case. This could be either with medication or topical treatments. We will also take into consideration your opinion and your thoughts on your treatment plan. We are willing to collaborate with you on your health in order to make this process as easy and comfortable for you as possible. 

Why Choose Us

Our experts take great care in performing tests to understand the cause of your gastrointestinal disorder to the fullest extent. It is important to us that we understand your specific case so that we can create the most beneficial treatment possible so that you can go back to living normally. We understand that these issues can be difficult, which is why the professionals at Allergy Associates will go the extra mile to give you the best care possible. 

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