The Link Between Allergies and Digestive Issues

Digestive issues refers to anything that affects your digestive system. This could be symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, heartburn, stomach cramps, or gas and bloating. Numerous things can cause digestive issues, including food intolerances, food poisoning, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or carbohydrate maldigestion. However, there is also a known relationship link between certain types of allergies and digestive issues. 

At the Allergy and Asthma Institute of SE Michigan, Chad W. Mayer, DO, FAAAAI, FAAP, and Ronda Barak-Norris, MD, FACAAI, specialize in treating all types of allergies. If you’re having digestion issues and have ruled out many other causes, allergies could be the culprit. Here are some allergy conditions that cause digestive issues and how we diagnose and treat them.

Digestive issues and allergies explained

Two main allergy-related conditions can cause digestive issues: Food allergies and eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE).

Food allergies

Food allergies occur when your immune system reacts poorly after eating a certain food. Your body perceives the food as dangerous and reacts as such. While food allergies can have a lot of different symptoms, one of the signs that you’re allergic to a certain food is abdominal pain. This can also manifest itself in vomiting, diarrhea, or nausea.

The easiest way to combat food allergies is by avoiding foods you’re allergic to. You can also keep a log of what you ate when you have symptoms after eating certain foods. This will make it easier to diagnose any food allergies you may have.

EoE

EoE is a chronic immune system disorder that is the result of a buildup of eosinophil – a type of white blood cell – in your esophagus. This buildup can be caused by food allergens and can cause damage to your esophageal tissue. This damage can result in symptoms like difficulty swallowing, chest or abdominal pain, acid reflux, and heartburn.

There's a strong known relationship between allergies and EoE. So, if you avoid things you’re allergic to, you should be able to lessen the symptoms of EoE. 

When you should seek treatment for digestive issues

If you eat a specific food and struggle with digestive issues afterward, come and see our team for a proper diagnosis. We can perform allergy testing to confirm or rule out allergies as the cause.

If you’ve been struggling with digestive issues and suspect that allergies are the culprit, contact our team at our office in Farmington Hills, Michigan, for an appointment. Call our friendly office staff at 248-363-3232 or use our online booking tool today.