One of the primary symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction to wheat is heart palpitations. If you notice that your heart rate increases and grows faint after you eat wheat products, you need to call your doctor or 911 for further assessment. An anaphylactic reaction is a severe allergic reaction that could lead to death if not treated properly. Wheat is a common food allergy that can cause symptoms that range from minor to severe.
Wheat Allergy
An allergy to wheat mostly affects children under the age of 3, but can affect adults as well. Albumin, gluten, gliadin and globulin are the four primary proteins found in wheat that can trigger an allergic reaction. If you're allergic to gluten, you will also need to avoid eating barley, oats and rye. About 20 percent of children who are allergic to wheat are allergic to other grains, according to the Food Allergy Initiative. During an allergic reaction, your immune system releases multiple chemicals to protect the body because the immune system mistakes the proteins as intruders. The presence of these chemicals causes common symptoms.
Heart Palpitations
Heart palpitations from eating wheat are a concerning symptom. As certain chemicals increase in your body, certain parts of the body may be affected, such as your lungs, blood pressure, sinuses and skin. During an extreme allergic reaction, your cardiovascular system can be affected, causing your blood pressure to drop suddenly and your heart to race and become faint. These symptoms are alarming and are signs of anaphylaxis. Report all your symptoms to your doctor.
Treatment
If you develop heart palpitations along with facial swelling, hives and shortness of breath, you need to call 911 or go to the emergency room. You will be treated with a medication called epinephrine. This medication is injected in your body for fast relief. Your symptoms will subside within a minute of receiving the medication, but your symptoms may return after 15 minutes. It is important to remain under a doctor's care for evaluation.
Wheat Avoidance
The only way to prevent this type of reaction, if you're allergic to wheat, is to eliminate wheat from your diet. Wheat is found in beer, baked goods, baking mixes, ale, breads, cereals, candy, processed meats, salad dressing, ice cream and soy sauce. You can substitute wheat flour with flour made from corn, millet, rice, soybeans or arrowroot.
