Individuals can try minor changes of diet to exclude<unk> s causing obvious reactions, and for many this may be adequate without the need for professional assistance. For reasons mentioned above<unk> s causing problems may not be so obvious since<unk>  sensitivities may not be noticed for hours or even days after one has digested<unk> . Persons unable to isolate<unk> s and those more sensitive or with disabling symptoms should seek expert medical and dietitian help. The dietetic department of a teaching hospital is a good start. (see links below) Guidance can also be given to your general practitioner to assist in diagnosis and management.<unk>  elimination diets have been designed to exclude<unk>  compounds likely to cause reactions and<unk> s commonly causing true allergies and those<unk> s where enzyme deficiency cause symptoms. These elimination diets are not everyday diets but intended to isolate problem<unk> s and chemicals. It takes around<unk> ve days of total abstinence to unmask a<unk>  or chemical, during the<unk> rst week on an elimination diet withdrawal symptoms can occur but it takes at least two weeks to remove residual traces. If symptoms have not subsided after six weeks,<unk>  is unlikely to be involved and a normal diet should be restarted. Withdrawals are often associated with a lowering of the threshold for sensitivity which assists in challenge testing, but in this period individuals can be ultra-sensitive even to<unk>  smells so care must be taken to avoid all exposures. After two or more weeks if the symptoms have reduced considerably or gone for at least<unk> ve days then challenge testing can begin. This can be carried out with selected<unk> s containing only one<unk>  chemical, to isolate it if reactions occur. In Australia, purified<unk>  chemicals in capsule form are available to doctors for patient testing. These are often combined with placebo capsules for control purposes. This type of challenge is more definitive. New challenges should only be given after 48 hours if no reactions occur or after<unk> ve days of no symptoms if reactions occur. Once all<unk>  chemical sensitivities are identified a dietitian can prescribe an appropriate diet for the individual to avoid<unk> s with those chemicals. Lists of suitable<unk> s are available from various hospitals and patient support groups can give local<unk>  brand advice. A dietitian will ensure adequate nutrition is achieved with safe<unk> s and supplements if need be. Over a period of time it is possible for individuals avoiding<unk>  chemicals to build up a level of resistance by regular exposure to small amounts in a controlled way, but care must be taken, the aim being to build up a varied diet with adequate composition.
Food intolerance
Food allergy
Dysphagia
Allergy
Aphagia
Allergies in children
Steatorrhea
Food addiction