Dizziness after eating is a common sign of a food allergy. Food allergies mainly affect young children below the age of five years, but can affect anyone at any age. Food allergy symptoms can range from minor to severe and can, in rare cases, lead to death if not treated. There is no cure for food allergies, making a clinical diagnosis essential. Identifying and avoiding foods that trigger an allergic reaction is the only effective way to prevent symptoms.
Food Allergies
You can develop an allergy to any food, but some foods are more likely to cause an allergic reaction than others. The University of Maryland Medical Center identifies the top food allergens as nuts, peanuts, soy, dairy, wheat, fish, eggs, tomatoes, pineapple, melons and strawberries. Food allergies are commonly confused with food intolerances, which is a different condition. Food intolerances are the inability to digest certain foods, while a food allergy is a hypersensitivity of the immune system to certain food proteins.
Cause
Food allergy symptoms are the result of the release of various chemicals in the body that attempt to fight off the proteins. After you consume a food that you’re allergic to, your immune system accidentally identifies the proteins in the food as dangerous. Instead of allowing the proteins to get digested as normal, the immune system unleashes a chemical attack against the proteins with antibodies. Immunoglobulin E antibodies trigger white blood cells in soft tissues to release histamine, a chemical that protects the body from infection, according to MayoClinic.com. Histamine causes swelling and inflammation, leading to most allergy symptoms.
Dizziness
Dizziness is the feeling like you may pass out. You may become unsteady, lose your balance or feel as if the room is moving. Dizziness is caused by lack of blood flow to the brain and is directly connected to your circulatory system. Dizziness is a common symptom of a food allergy and can occur within minutes of eating a food that triggers an allergic reaction. Dizziness from a food allergy may also be accompanied with an increased heart rate, a faint pulse and lightheadedness. Call your doctor for evaluation if you develop dizziness after eating.
Warning
Dizziness from a food allergy may be a sign of a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. During anaphylaxis, your entire body experiences an allergic reaction, sending your body into a state of shock. Other signs of this type of allergic reaction include stomach pain, facial swelling, hives, mental confusion and the inability to breathe normally, according to MedlinePlus.
