Food allergies and sensitivities seem to be more common, as children and adults alike are affected by gluten, nuts and other food allergens. A severe anaphylactic reaction can occur when an allergen is ingested, or less severe symptoms like hives and itching can result. Chronic activation of your immune system can lead to migraines, digestive disorders, arthritis and more. Visiting your physician and getting tested for food allergies can help prevent an allergic reaction. March 28th 2012 - Food allergies occur in the same way an allergy to pollen or pet dander would - your immune system attacks a food protein, thinking it’s a dangerous substance. Your body releases chemicals, like histamine, when you ingest the offending food; you can then experience tingling in your mouth, swelling of the tongue and throat, hives or itching skin. If you have had a reaction to food, getting tested for food allergies is an excellent way to prevent a severe allergic episode. According to the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, symptoms can occur minutes after eating a food allergen. It is therefore extremely important to get tested for food allergies. You can visit your general practitioner, or if you live in West Hollywood or the Los Angeles area, Brentview Medical‘s Urgent Care Clinic provides food allergy testing. Your West Hollywood practitioner will generally recommend a group of allergy tests, based on what you know about your triggers and symptoms. At Brentview Medical’s Urgent Care facility near West Hollywood, you get the expertise of a general practitioner’s office, without the wait time. The practitioners at Brentview Medical offer the ALCAT allergy test, or the Antigen LeukocyteCellular Antibody Test. This series of tests uses your blood to determine what foods cause an allergic reaction in your body. It measures your body’s cellular responses to a wide array of substances, including foods. In general, your practitioner in West Hollywood should offer a few varieties of the ALCAT, depending on your potential triggers. The test results are easy to read and color coded, clearly marking your allergies and their severity - severe, moderate or mild. Avoiding these foods is the only sure way to prevent a reaction. Discuss a nutrition plan with your general practitioner to ensure you ingest foods you aren’t allergic to, but still maintain adequate nutrition to keep you healthy. About Brentview Medical Serving Malibu and the Los Angeles area, Brentview Medical’s urgent care center can actually serve as your primary care facility. The fully-trained staff can work on mild traumatic injuries, acute illnesses and give regular check-ups and exams, as well as run tests and recommend specialists. Open Monday through Friday and some Saturday hours, this urgent care center works with an array of conditions and traumas, though life-threatening emergencies should always be directed to the emergency room. Contact Edward Moss Promoting Group 310.933.1373 Edward.Moss@promotinggroup.com http://www.brentviewmedical.com