Many traditional allergists think allergies only affect one area of the body, particularly in the sinus cavity and lungs. In advance of Food Allergy Awareness Week next week, I want to bring attention to a more unknown area, bladder allergies.
Food allergies of the bladder cause spasms, which results in children wetting their bed and wetting their cloths. Think of the spasms that occur in the sinus cavity (aka sneezing) and lungs (aka asthma) equal to spasms in the bladder.
Once you have ruled out constipation, genetics, small bladder, UTIs and other urological or physiological issues, then it may be time to look at foods that irritate the bladder and possible bladder allergies.
Signs of potential bladder allergies:
- Rushes wildly to the bathroom
- Will often wet their clothing shortly after a meal with offending foods
- Frequent bathroom visits, but little urine produced
- Burning sensation while urinating (with no UTI present)
- Bedwetting is seasonal.
Major beverages and foods that cause frequency or potential allergies:
Cow’s milk and juice (apple, orange, pineapple, or grape)
Gluten/wheat, corn, soy, dairy, citrus fruits, high acid foods such as tomatoes
Food dyes, additives, artificial and processed white sugar
Foods can cause a reaction within six to 24 hours after the problem food has been eaten. Delayed medical symptoms include ear fluid, sleepiness, hyperactivity, canker sores, eczema, leg aches, joint pain and bedwetting.
What you can do:
First determine if your beverages are a factor. If you don’t serve juice, then just omit all dairy and all fruits.
Eliminate all dairy, fruits and fruit juices for seven days
Then add dairy one day, wait two days
Add citrus fruit or citrus juices one day, wait two days
Apple or apple juice, wait two days,
Grapes or grape juice, wait two days
If you figure out a particular beverage, avoid those drinks altogether.
Types of allergy tests:
Scratch Tests (IgE), not entirely reliable, but are important for determining life-threatening allergies
Blood Tests (IgG, IgA, sIgA), not 100 percent conclusive, but still a good marker
Stress Assessment, not recognized by FDA, a noninvasive way of determining allergies in the body
Elimination Diet: Best and proven method to determine food allergies and sensitivities. Best done when food is eliminated for 21 days. Keep a food journal and denote any physical, emotional and behavior changes.
Do not discount environmental allergies and chemical sensitivities. Certain times of the year can cause an increase in allergies in the body.
This is not meant to be medical advice. Always have an open discussion with your doctor and seek a second opinion if you are not satisfied.
You should know
Here is a fun fact: One of the former Disney chefs,
Joel Schaefer, was very influential when he cooked in Disney
World and his own experience with severe milk allergies allowed him
to create a position as Special Dietary Needs Manager. Chef Joel
suffered from Bladder Allergies as a child.
For your reading list:
Fruit and Vegetable Allergies are Surpassing Peanut
Allergies
Allergy 101: Understanding Early Warning Signs of Food
Allergies
A Growing Awareness About Food Allergies in Infants and
Children
