Allergy Effects On The Kidneys, Respiratory System And Stomach

The kidneys:

The two kidneys are responsible for many vital functions. Briefly, they perform the complex task of extracting from the blood, used up proteins, minerals and other elements making up the toxic waste of the metabolic process. This residual material, together with waste water, is then passed in the form of urine, through to the bladder before being finally expelled from the body.

Allergy-caused overloading may cause the liver to deteriorate and lose its capacity to cope fully with its detoxifying duties. As a result, the toxins, left to circulate in the blood, will poison the body and cause damage to the kidneys. Recent studies have shown that kidney failure can be caused by overloading with food toxins. Since undetected food allergies are known to overload the body with toxins, it follows that the kidneys will indeed suffer and may become a ‘target’ organ.

The respiratory system:

The respiratory system comprises the trachea (windpipe), the bronchials and the lungs. Air that we breathe passes through the trachea and bronchials into the lungs where it is used to oxygenate the blood. At the same time, carbon dioxide is extracted from the blood and expelled from the lungs into the atmosphere.

Victims of ecological allergies invariably suffer from chemical as well as food intolerances. Some of the more common chemical allergens are the hydrocarbon products, such as petrol and diesel fumes, pressure pack propellants, etc. When these substances are inhaled into the lungs they are absorbed along with oxygen into the bloodstream. To the allergic person, this ingestion through the lungs sets up the same allergic process as an allergy reaction, caused by eating an allergenic food. Consequently, the person becomes ill but often does not realize the cause, since chemical allergies, like food allergies, can be masked, with resultant symptoms that are seemingly unrelated to the chemicals concerned.

An example of food allergies causing respiratory symptoms is found ‘in a report from Dr Elmer Cranton, of Virginia, who says that recurrent coughs are due to food allergies, not colds. This view was also recently supported by the British Medical Journal. Dr Cranton said that the most likely causes were dairy products, yeast, wheat products, eggs and citrus fruit. He has found with people allergic to these foods, that once they have been removed from the diet, the coughing stops.

Milk and milk products are one of the commonest causes of food allergies. Often, the reaction is a general tendency for excessive mucus to form in the nasal and other respiratory passages. This, in turn, can lead to constant colds, sore throats, nasal catarrh and asthma – all by-products of an ongoing and debilitating food allergy.

The stomach:

The stomach is a simple, bag-like organ and is part of the alimentary canal. It lies between the esophagus and the small intestine. The upper end of the stomach connects with the esophagus, whilst the lower end opens into the doudenum, which is the upper part of the small intestine. The stomach serves as a storage place for food, enabling a large meal to be eaten at one time. It also produces hydrochloric acid and the enzyme pepsin, to digest the food partially.

There are a number of different foods that will irritate the mucous membrane lining the stomach. Highly spiced foods, extremely hot foods and alcoholic drinks can cause ulcers to develop in the stomach or duodenum. Another cause of stomach ulcers can be the regular ingestion of foods to which the person is allergic. It is interesting to note, that the Japanese have the highest rate of stomach cancer in the world, due to the high salt content in their diet.

Stress- Can It Really Cause Heart Disease

Stress- were all aware of the feeling- overburdened, overwhelmed, and at times ready to pull our hair out. Yet, can it really be damaging physically? Can it lead to heart trouble?

A recent heart patient illustrates this question. John, a middle-aged man with a ruddy complexion and large eyes, had been admitted to the hospital on my cardiology practice because of terrible pains that gripped his chest. The pain was in fact a heart attack, quite a large one.

Oddly, he possessed no real risk factors for heart disease. He didn’t smoke, have high blood pressure, or admit to a family history of heart disease. Even his cholesterol was normal.

After taking a detailed history, the only thing I could come up with as a cause of his heart attack was stress. His dog, the only real thing in life he cherished, had recently died. He wasn’t married, and didn’t have children. Even his parents were gone. His pet golden retriever had recently been hit by a car.

His grief following the loss was so encompassing, so burdensome that it had created an anvil like weight across his chest. When the pain became unbearable he’d scurried to the Emergency Department.

Is it possible that stress alone- in this case overwhelming grief, can cause actual heart disease?

All of us are familiar with the stress of modern day living. With both adults frequently working, the typical American family must juggle shopping, work, kid’s activities, and a host of other essential tasks. It isn’t unusual to rise early, perform under pressure for long hours at work and then come home to face even more duties.

The constant and seemingly endless hectic pace can numb the body and the mind. Such stress is all too familiar, but can it actually lead to illness? Can it truly be bad for your heart?

A publication in the British Medical Journal has given undeniable proof that stress is indeed harmful to our heart health. They followed hundreds of research participants for up to seven years and found that people who had subjective feelings of being “over burdened” at work, or performed repetitive activities with no chance for advancement- these people developed nearly three times the heart disease as people who didn’t have this type of stress.

They also found that the chances of suffering a life ending heart attack were also 2-3 times higher.

So what can we do about the feeling of being, “overwhelmed,” or “not being able to take it any more?” Is there hope for hearts that are crying?

The answer is “Yes.” You don’t have to become a medical statistic and suffer a heart attack because of stress.

The first step for avoiding this tragedy is to acknowledge your troublesome feelings. Recognize that you are exhausted or have difficulty.

Next, seek help. One of the reasons I’ve created this web site is to provide a resource for who people with psychological and emotional difficulties.