Continued Confusion about Food Allergies

A study published this month in the USA warns that many are still confused about food allergies and sensitivities. But it also shows that your health issues may be changing.

The study, published at the JAMA Network, was titled Prevalence and Severity of Food Allergies Among US Adults. The researchers found that 19% of adults in the USA claimed to have a food allergy. But delving a little deeper, they found that only 10.8% of them actually did have a food allergy.

10.8% is a concerning number, of course – that means that over 26 million people in the USA alone have a food allergy. But why do twice that many think that they do?

As science writer Ed Cara points out, it’s mostly a matter of terminology (see Millions of Americans Are Wrong About Having a Food Allergy, Study Suggests). “Allergy” is a very technical term for a serious condition. But many people simply use it to mean that they feel uncomfortable after they eat something, which could mean “food sensitivity” or “food intolerance”, not a food allergy.

Of course, “intolerance” in itself is a vague and controversial term. Either an allergy or sensitivity could lead to a headache, but the way you respond and treat each could be vastly different. As Cara writes:

Some people also seem to have delayed immune reactions to food without IgE in the picture, though we’re less sure about how commonly this happens and how to accurately diagnose it. Many doctors, for instance, criticize tests that promise to find these so-called food sensitivities with ease.

Millions of Americans Are Wrong About Having a Food Allergy, Study Suggests

Even if you get a headache after eating certain foods, you may be able to eat them without a problem if you switch to a healthier diet in general. The issue of sensitivities, allergies and triggers is complex and hard to nail down in clinical trials.

However, we are reminded that we should pay attention to symptoms, and discuss them with our doctor. A food allergy can be potentially life-threatening, but if any food is causing problems, there may be ways to find treatment or make lifestyle changes that will decrease your headache symptoms.