What Are the Triggers for Chocolate Allergy?
Chocolate contains a mixture. The main ingredient is cocoa powder, which is a processed version of the cocoa bean.
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Chocolate contains a mixture. The main ingredient is cocoa powder, which is a processed version of the cocoa bean. This powder is then mixed with emulsifiers such as sugar, oil and soy lecithin. Many types of chocolate are obtained with dairy products. In people who are allergic to chocolate, it can be difficult to understand exactly what causes and causes the reaction, as there are more than one ingredient in chocolate. There are many possibilities.
1-What are the Symptoms of Cocoa Allergy?
The first possibility is a reaction to cocoa. If the body is allergic to cocoa, the immune system reacts when it enters the body. This response can generate symptoms such as:
* Hives,
* Shortness of breath,
* Swollen tongue, lips or throat,
* Wheezing cough,
* Nausea or vomiting,
* Abdominal cramps.
If these symptoms are not treated immediately, anaphylaxis can occur, which can be life-threatening.
2-What are the Symptoms of Milk Allergy?
Some people who have an allergic reaction to chocolate may be allergic to dairy products.
A person who is allergic to milk may experience some sudden symptoms in the first hours after eating dairy products, such as hives, wheezing cough, or nausea. However, some symptoms may be delayed and appear hours or days later. The symptoms that may appear are as follows;
* Mucus secretions in the nose or lungs,
* Nausea,
* Skin rash or hives,
* Cough,
* Abdominal cramps,
* Loose stools with or without blood/mucus-diarrhea.
Some extreme cases of milk allergy can put a person into anaphylactic shock. This, in turn, can lead to swelling of the throat and cardiac-respiratory arrest. These cases require immediate medical attention.
3-What Are the Symptoms of Caffeine Sensitivity?
It is also possible that a person who reacts to chocolate is sensitive to caffeine.
A 100-gram bar of chocolate contains about 43 milligrams of caffeine. For people who are very sensitive to caffeine, this amount is enough to cause symptoms.
Symptoms of caffeine sensitivity (intolerance) can be;
* Nervous or irritable behavior,
* Concern,
* Digestive problems such as diarrhea, nausea or stomach pain,
* Increased heart rate,
* Sleep problems,
* Irritability,
* Dizziness,
* Headache.
In a rare caffeine allergy, some people may also experience skin reactions such as hives and redness. People who are sensitive to caffeine may also see these symptoms when drinking coffee, tea, or energy drinks.
4-What Are the Reactions That Develop Against Other Components?
Some people who are allergic to chocolate may be reacting to other ingredients in chocolate. Other ingredients found in chocolate, such as tree nuts, peanuts, and soy, are common food allergy triggers. Someone who is severely allergic to peanuts or tree nuts may also react to plain chocolate made in the same facility as chocolate containing these ingredients.
A person with a soy allergy typically has an allergic reaction to the protein in the soy itself. Less commonly, a person may also be reacting to trace amounts of soy protein in a soy-derived ingredient found in chocolate, such as soy lecithin. Soy protein allergy can cause some of the following symptoms;
* Cold-like reactions such as runny nose, watery eyes, nasal congestion and sneezing,
* Digestive problems, including abdominal pain, stomach cramps, gas and bloating,
* Asthma symptoms caused by too much histamine in the lungs,
* Skin reactions, including itching, hives or eczema.
It is also possible for people who are allergic to wheat to react to chocolate. This reaction may be due to contamination from the factory where the chocolate is made, or from ingredients such as wheat starch contained in the chocolate itself.
How Can I Protect Myself From the Developing Reaction to Chocolate?
Anyone who has a food allergy should take great care to educate themselves about what is in the food they eat. It is absolutely necessary to read the content labels in stores. In restaurants, people with food allergies should make sure that their food does not contain potential allergens. It will also be useful to ask friends and family not to eat allergy-triggering foods with you. Anyone who is allergic to cocoa should avoid sweets containing chocolate, as well as drinks such as milkshakes or hot cocoa.
It can be used to sweeten beverages such as chocolate, coffee, soft drinks or alcohol, and is also used as a sweetener in some medicines. People who are allergic to chocolate should always read food labels to make sure there is no chocolate in their diet.
What Are Chocolate Substitutes?
The most common substitute for chocolate is a legume called carob. The carob is processed and a cocoa-like powder is created, which can be used just like chocolate. Carob, which is usually used as an alternative to chocolate in baked desserts and drinks, does not contain caffeine. This can also be a good choice for people with caffeine sensitivity.
What is Cocoa Sensitivity?
Cocoa sensitivity is very different from an allergic reaction. A person who is allergic to chocolate can go into anaphylactic shock if he eats chocolate or comes into contact with it. If it is a person who is sensitive to chocolate, he can eat it in small quantities without showing any symptoms. But when eaten in larger quantities, symptoms often appear.
Symptoms of chocolate or cocoa sensitivity, on the other hand, can be as follows;
•Nausea,
* Bloating, gas, or cramps,
•Headache,
* Skin problems such as redness, hives or pimples,
•Constipation.
Sensitivity to chocolate or cocoa, in most cases, is not life-threatening. Many people can get symptoms under control by limiting their chocolate intake or eating chocolate substitute products.
When Should I Get an Allergy Test?
Anyone who suspects that they have a food allergy and is not sure what they are allergic to should get an allergy test. An allergist may recommend a blood test to check for allergies, or ask the person to remove a food or ingredient from their diet to see if symptoms improve. In the event of more severe reactions, allergists will recommend completely avoiding chocolate until they determine what the allergy is. In addition, people with allergies should definitely carry epinephrine injection pens with them for conditions that can lead to anaphylactic shock.
What is pulmonary fibrosis (lung hardening)?
It develops with the thickening and hardening of the walls of small air sacs (alveoli) located in the lungs. Excessive thickening and hardening of the walls; it makes the gas passage between the blood and the air difficult. Deceleration of the walls. As a result, the oxygen needs of the tissues in the body cannot be met.
What are the causes of pulmonary fibrosis?
The factors that cause pulmonary fibrosis are unknown. In such cases, the disease is called idiopathic (cause unknown) pulmonary fibrosis. However, it should also be remembered that pulmonary fibrosis can develop due to a number of diseases or conditions. We can list the reasons why pulmonary fibrosis can develop depending on other diseases or conditions that we have mentioned as follows:
• Rheumatoid arthritis
* Scleroderma
* Lupus (butterfly disease)
* muscle diseases
* Exposure to silica, asbestos, metal or coal dust
* Exposure to grain dust, mold, bacteria, bird and animal feces factors
* Smoke
* Drug use
* Radiation therapy
What are the symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis?
The symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis, having similarities with many lung diseases, are as follows:
* Severe cough
* Shortness of breath
* Fatigue and weakness
* Pain in the chest
* Unexplained weight loss
* Clubbing fingers
What are the diagnostic methods of pulmonary fibrosis?
The diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis and other lung diseases can be made with comprehensive physical examinations and tests. These tests are as follows:
* Lung X-ray: It helps us to have an idea about the general condition of the lungs. It allows us to check for the presence of diseases such as infections and pneumothorax that can cause similar findings.
* Blood tests: A complete blood count test may be ordered if environmental or allergic reactions are suspected.
* Arterial blood gas: Controls the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood. It allows the acid ratio in the blood to be measured.
* Respiratory function test (PFT): Used to determine the severity of respiratory complaints. The volume and velocity of the air received by the lungs are determined.
* Computed tomography: X-ray allows to obtain a cross-sectional scan, in more detail. Thus, the anatomical image of the lungs is examined in detail.
* Bronchoscopy: The airways are examined with a system that is rigid or flexible and has a camera at the end. Its role in the diagnostic process is great, as it excludes diseases that may have similar symptoms with interstitial fibrosis.
* Surgical biopsy: A piece is taken from the lung by thoracoscopic surgical methods. The peculiarity of this process is that it is carried out accompanied by a camera. The parts taken are then examined by the Pathology department. Thus; the severity and course of the disease is determined