Food sensitivities, such as food allergies, can cause seizures in rare cases. Food allergies commonly cause mild to moderate reactions in the body, but if you have a severe allergic reaction you can develop seizures and other symptoms that could lead to death. Anaphylaxis is the medical term used for an extreme allergic reaction that causes the body to experience a state of shock. Anaphylaxis requires emergency medical treatment to alleviate the symptoms.
Cause of Sensitivities
Food sensitivities are mostly found in young children and are often outgrown by the age of five, according to MayoClinic.com. The most common food allergens include fish, soy, peanuts, milk, tree nuts, eggs and wheat. If you have a food allergy, your immune system mistakes the proteins in the food as dangerous, even though they are safe. This immune system mistake causes the body to overreact to the proteins, triggering a chemical chain-reaction. In most cases, food allergies can cause stomach pain, diarrhea, asthma, skin rashes and hives.
Anaphylactic Shock
Seizures from food sensitivities can occur if you experience anaphylactic shock. During anaphylactic shock, the entire body experiences an allergic reaction, overwhelming your physical body. This type of allergic reaction can develop within seconds to minutes of eating a food that you're severely allergic to. Aside from seizures, other symptoms of anaphylaxis are facial swelling, the inability to breathe, a metallic taste in the mouth, a drop in blood pressure and a rapid heart rate. If you develop any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately.
Treatment
Treatment for seizures from a food allergy will require an injection of epinephrine. Epinephrine is synthetic adrenalin that will restore your body back to its normal functionality. If you have a known severe allergy, your doctor may prescribe this medication for you to carry with you in case you accidentally eat a food allergen. The medication comes in a self-applicator injection that you will administer at the first signs of anaphylaxis. If you give yourself this medication, you still need to go immediately to the emergency room, because your symptoms can redevelop.
Prevention
To prevent a severe allergic reaction that could cause seizures, you will need to be tested for various food allergies. Once diagnosed, you will need to eliminate those foods from your diet. Even a small amount of food can trigger anaphylaxis. Wear a medical bracelet that states your condition in case of an emergency. Inform your coworkers, friends and family of your condition.
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