Abdominal pain that's followed by fainting when you eat is an alarming sign of a life-threatening condition called anaphylaxis. Anytime you faint, you need to be seen by a medical doctor immediately. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction, commonly caused by food, which could lead to death if not treated quickly. Keep a food journal to help you and your health care provider identify potential foods that trigger these symptoms. Your doctor will provide you with a clinical diagnosis and treatment options.
Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a rare allergic reaction that causes your body to experience a state of shock. If not treated promptly your symptoms can become life-threatening and lead to death. When you eat a food that you're severely allergic to, your immune system overreacts and triggers the production of various chemicals to attack the food proteins. When this reaction is extreme, you can develop anaphylactic shock, where you pass out and develop other severe symptoms, such as the inability to breathe, a drop in blood pressure and a faint pulse, according to MedlinePlus.
Cause
Anaphylaxis mostly occurs with food, drug and insect stings. The most common foods that cause anaphylaxis include nuts, peanuts and fish. Other common allergic foods include milk, eggs, soy and wheat. The inflammation that leads to most anaphylactic symptoms is from increased levels of immunoglobulin E antibodies and excessive amounts of histamine. Histamine is a chemical in the body that protects against infection, but during a severe allergic reaction, excessive amounts of histamine cause drastic swelling to occur in the lungs, throat, face, tongue and lips.
Symptoms
Severe abdominal pain and fainting are just two symptoms that can develop shortly after eating a food that causes an allergic reaction. Other symptoms may include hives, dizziness, pale skin, light-headedness, mental confusion and a metallic taste in your mouth. Call your doctor at the first sign of these symptoms. Most symptoms develop within seconds and are aggressive in forming. Talk with your doctor about carrying an epinephrine pen in case of an emergency.
Treatment
The most common treatment for anaphylaxis is an injection of epinephrine. Epinephrine is synthetic adrenaline that will reduce inflammation in your body and restore your normal functionality. Once diagnosed, you should wear a medical bracelet disclosing your food allergies and avoid all foods that cause an allergic reaction. Your doctor and registered dietitian will help you form a diet that will remove food allergies while maintaining a well-balanced diet.
