Page 19 - 86 human physiology part-2

Chapter 12

Food Allergies

Food allergies occur when the immune system thinks that a certain protein in any kind of food is a
foreign object and will try to fight against it.

Only about eight percent of children and two percent of adults actually have a food allergy. A
person can be allergic to any kind of food, but the most common food allergies are from nuts, cow's
milk, eggs, soy, fish, and shellfish. Most people who have a food allergy are allergic to less than four
different foods.

The most common signs of food allergies are hives, swelling, itchy skin, itchiness, tingling or
swelling in the mouth, coughing, trouble breathing, diarrhea, and vomiting. The two most common
chronic illness that are associated with food allergies are eczema and asthma.

Food allergies can be fatal if it causes the reaction called anaphylaxis. This reaction makes it hard
for the person to breathe. This can be treated by an epinephrine injection.

GERD, Heartburn, Acid Reflux

GERD, or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter is not
able to close properly. When this happens, contents from the stomach called reflux leak back into the
esophagus and the stomach.

When the stomach refluxes, stomach acid touches the lining of the esophagus and causes it to have
a burning feeling in the throat or the chest. This is what heartburn is. When you taste the fluid in the
back of your throat, it is called acid indigestion. It is common for a person to get occasional heartburn,
but when it occurs more than twice a week it can be considered as GERD. GERD can occur in people
of all ages including infants.

Some symptoms of GERD include having a pain in your chest, hoarseness, having trouble
swallowing, or having the feeling of food being stuck in your throat. The main symptoms are having
persistent heartburn and acid regurgitation. GERD can also cause bad breath and a dry cough.

No one knows why people get GERD. Some things that could contribute to GERD are alcohol use,
pregnancy, being overweight and smoking. Certain foods night also contribute like citrus fruits,
caffeine, spicy, fatty, and dried foods, and also mint flavorings.

Over-the-counter antacids or medications that help stop acid production and help the muscles
empty the stomach are commonly used to treat GERD.

Constipation

Not everyone is on the same schedule for having a bowel movement. Depending on the person, a
"normal" schedule can range anywhere from three times a day to three times a week. If you start having
bowel movements less than your own personal schedule, then you might be getting the signs of
constipation.

Constipation is when you have trouble having bowel movements. The stool is very hard making it
hard to pass and causing a person to strain. You may even feel like you have to have a bowel

234 | Human Physiology