Question:
I had
today symptoms such as stomach cramps and stomach discomfort or bloating
a couple of hours after breakfast (fruit cereals and soy milk)
What
is the cause of this abdominal pain?
Joseph
Answer:
Dear
Joseph,
Many
different conditions can cause abdominal pain.
One possible
cause is food allergy.
Normally,
your body's immune system defends against potentially harmful substances,
such as bacteria, viruses, and toxins.
In some
people, an immune response is triggered by a substance that is generally
harmless, such as a specific food.
In a
true food allergy, the immune system produces antibodies and histamine
in response to the specific food.
Any food
can cause an allergic reaction, but a few foods are the main culprits.
Soy,
wheat and other gluten-containing grains can cause a food allergy.
You should
avoid the suspected food until your symptoms disappear (elimination
diets). Then the foods are reintroduced to see if you develop an allergic
reaction.
The only
proven treatment for a food allergy is to avoid the food.
