Abdominal cramps related to an allergic reaction from eating chocolate may be caused by one or more allergic reactions. Chocolate is made from the cocoa bean, which is not considered a common food allergen. Chocolate products contain various ingredients that are considered highly allergic, such as soy, tree nuts, wheat and milk. Cramps from an allergy will cause other common digestive symptoms, such as diarrhea, bloating and nausea.
Diagnosis
Before you can treat the allergic reaction, you will need to receive a clinical diagnosis of what ingredients are causing the allergy. An allergist is the most qualified medical professional who can test you and identify which allergen is triggering your reaction. During allergy testing, the allergist will use the proteins of the ingredients that are most likely causing the allergy. For example, she may test you for an allergy to the cocoa bean, tree nuts and milk. These proteins will be exposed to your skin to see if you develop inflammation and irritation. A blood test may be used to confirm the production of immunoglobulin E antibodies when the suspected allergens are introduced.
Cause
The cramping you feel in your abdomen is caused by inflammation in your intestines. During an allergic reaction, your immune system produces immunoglobulin E, or IgE antibodies, that attempt to protect the body from the intruding substance. IgE antibodies trigger mast cells in soft tissue to produce histamine. As histamine levels increase in your intestines, the lining becomes inflamed and swollen. This also causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Treatment
Once you've ingested a food that you are allergic to, there is nothing you can do to treat the cramping. The body will have to rid itself of the proteins before symptoms subside. The most effective treatment for cramping from a chocolate-related allergy is to identify and avoid the ingredient that is causing the reaction. For example, if it is determined that you are allergic to the milk in chocolate, you can consume dark chocolate that's not made with milk.
Consideration
Other digestive conditions can cause cramping from eating chocolate and may not be related to an allergy. For example, if you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, chocolate can trigger your symptoms, causing similar symptoms to an allergic reaction. You may also have a food intolerance toward chocolate. Food intolerances are different from an allergy because they are a malfunction of your digestive system and are not caused by an immune reaction.
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