Having battled with what I assumed was seasonal allergies for several years and then I started reading about wheat and gluten intolerance and I noticed that the symptoms I had not only matched seasonal allergies but also could fit for wheat allergy.
If you have a wheat allergy you are likely to develop symptoms within minutes to hours after eating something containing wheat.
Wheat allergy symptoms include:
• Swelling, itching or irritation of the mouth or throat
• Hives, itchy rash or swelling of the skin
• Nasal congestion
• Headache
• Itchy, watery eyes
• Difficulty breathing
• Cramps, nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Anaphylaxis
For some people, wheat allergy may cause a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis.
In addition to other signs and symptoms of wheat allergy, anaphylaxis may cause:
• Swelling or tightness of the throat
• Chest pain or tightness
• Severe difficulty breathing
• Trouble swallowing
• Pale, blue skin color
• Dizziness or fainting
• Fast heartbeat
*If you experience any of the above extreme symptoms please go to the ER.
Nasal congestion, extreme sometimes debilitating headache on one side of my head, watery eyes – that was me.
Having tried and had pretty good success with essential oils, which I am sure cleared the gluten from my system, allowing relief, I had assumed my “seasonal environmental” allergies were cured only to come back over time.
In frustration, and despite my knowledge and belief that medication does not fix – only covers symptoms, for relief and to be able to function day to day in my job, I had turned to trying pharmaceuticals. Advil Cold and Sinus as well as Zyrtec D, both of which contain pseudophedrine (having a gigantic list of dangerous side effects). I knew this wasn’t the answer, but was thankful for the break.
In doing some research I came across Dr. William Davis, Cardiologist, Author and Health Crusader’s website based on his book “Wheat Belly”.
In reading through the blog posts I became more and more convinced this could possibly be part of my problem.
The wheat of today is not the same plant it was in our grandparent’s years.
It’s a completely new genetically modified grain, which is the product of 40 years of genetics research aimed at increasing yield-per-acre, not nutritional value.
The result is a genetically unique plant that stands 18-24 inches tall, not 4 1/2-foot tall wheat that nature created.
Watch the video:
The Gluten & Gliadin present within wheat (also Rye and Barley) creates an auto immune from your body that literally turns your body’s defenses against itself. This causes inflammation, which leads to a variety of illness (mental and physical) as well as general body pain.
Deciding to test it out – I stopped eating anything containing wheat.
I noticed results right away.
-Within the first week I had less headaches and less fogginess.
-By week two I was no longer feeling the need to take or even carry allergy medication (just in case) around with me.
-By the end of week two my headaches, watery eyes, foggy feeling and as a bonus 5 lbs were all gone. -My belt loop moved in two notches and I felt less bloated (though honestly I did not realize I had felt bloated in the first place).
Then I did something truly stupid.
I was not thinking and a friend made me dinner, which included home made ravioli.
They were delicious.
However, 15-20 minutes after we finished eating I began feeling worse and worse.
My eye started watering down my face, my head felt like someone stuck a fork in my temple, I was hot and my sinuses were becoming very stuffy – feeling like my head was stuffed with cotton batting.
As uncomfortable as this was, it of course passed and was a wonderful verification that wheat was in fact the culprit.
Test Yourself!
What do you have to lose? – If you are experiencing horrible allergy symptoms and cant seem to find permanent relief stop eating wheat for a week or two.
I think you just might be pleasantly surprised!
Come back and post your personal results – We would love to hear them!
Sources:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/wheat-allergy/basics/symptoms/con-20031834
http://www.wheatbellyblog.com/
http://mjclive.com/healthy-living/health-risks-from-genetically-modified-wheat
While I publish here I also have my own site, www.SarahBarendse.com. Please visit me there for more in depth articles!
