food allergies

Center for Innovative Medicine Honolulu > Innovative Medicine Blog > food allergies

Environmental & food sensitivities

It seems that over the years, as I approached my 40′s, my body was starting to react negatively to many things in the environment and to certain foods.

For example, I had difficulty breathing when the vog came in, I developed severe seasickness (even when boogie boarding and snorkeling), I woke up every day with postnasal drip and sinus stuffiness, and I got diarrhea and welts eating shellfish or raw egg yolks.
I was somewhat skeptical about this type of treatment because I am a registered nurse and have been seeing an allergist regularly for 20 years. What prompted me to seek immediate treatment with Dr. Karen Tan was an upcoming five day Alaskan fishing trip that I had planned for my family. (Had I lost my mind? How was I going to survive on the boat all day?) Well, after ONE treatment, my seasickness was GONE! I had the best family vacation ever, catching salmon, halibut and black cod (deep sea fishes). My husband was dumbfounded yet quite impressed with the outcome.
I no longer have problems with vog, eggs, shellfish, acid reflux, and postnasal drip. I continue the treatments on a regular basis in order to be in optimum health. My son is also in treatment for his symptoms. It’s amazing and well worth the time and cost to be healthy.

 Donna Hayashida, Honolulu, HI

Eczema

For over twenty years I suffered from eczema; my lower legs, upper arms, and back were often covered with itchy sores. My sleep was disturbed every night by itching and scratching. About eight years ago I concluded that the itchy eczema was caused, at least in part, by what I was eating. By experimentation I found that corn syrup and cornstarch were two of the causes and tried to avoid them though it was almost impossible since they are in almost all processed foods. I saw a dermatologist and an allergist but got no relief except by using a steroid cream which thinned my skin. If my skin began to heal using the steroid preparation it would soon be a mass of sores again when I ate something that set off the itching and scratching. One day I heard of AAT (Advanced Allergy Therapeutics) and found Dr. Karen Tan. On my first visit Dr. Tan was able to discover that I had reactions to twelve different substances. I began to have relief immediately after the first treatment and, after just a few weeks, my legs, arms, and back are almost completely healed and I am again able to eat the foods that I love without setting off an itching frenzy. I will be forever grateful to Dr. Tan and AAT. –

Carol Amorozo, Waipahu, HI

Dog allergies

I love my dogs!

I was sad to find out that my dogs … well their dander … was causing some of my symptoms. I like to think it was because of the dust in the air or the pollen outside…I was in denial. Every time I’d play with my dogs for a length of time or give them a bath I would go into a sneezing fit along with getting itchy and watery eyes. Petting them was okay but spending prolonged “quality time” was definitely a challenge.

I was referred to Dr. Tan to check out some food allergies that may be causing some digestive issues. I also found out that my dogs were indeed causing some stress on my system. After treatment that day, I went home and hung out with my dogs … and noticed that I had no reaction to them. No sneezing, no itchy, watery eyes. The very next day I went a step further and hugged them … no reaction, even till this very day. It’s amazing! I’ll be back to clear the rest of the symptoms … and will definitely recommend Dr. Tan to my family and friends. This really works!

With blessings for good health! – Laurie, Honolulu, HI

Food Allergies

I used to think that I was allergic to alcohol since whenever I drank beer or wine.

I used to not only get congested immediately, but also had hangover effects the following morning. After being treated for yeast and wheat by Dr. Tan, I no longer get congested or feel any negative effects the next day.
Whenever I ate anything made with eggs, I immediately had a slight headache. After being treated for eggs by Dr. Tan, no matter how many eggs I eat, I don’t get any headaches!
Every time vog would be brought in by the Kona winds, I’d get congestion along with post nasal drip. Once Dr. Tan treated me for vog, I no longer have those symptoms.

Steven Yoshida, Mililani, HI

 

Vog & environmental allergies

Dr. Tan has worked wonders with my vog allergy symptoms.

I’ve always had sensitivity to the vog and had to move from the Big Island to Moloka’i because of it. Whenever the vog acted up, my nose would run like a river and I’d have to literally carry around a box of tissues, or stick one up my nostril to keep it at bay. I’d also become very tired and become physically sick and would be bed-ridden till the vog lightened up. Over time, my reactions increased so much that if my sinuses became clogged up, I would lose my hearing and it would take almost a month for them to re-open with antibiotics. Ever since I went to Dr. Tan, my reactions to the vog have disappeared. My sinuses and eyes no longer are affected by the vog conditions. During my first appointment with Dr. Tan she also checked me for any other airborne or food items that I could also have reaction to. I discovered that I reacted to milk/dairy products, cats, fungus/molds, grasses/weeds, sugar mix, wheat, dust, sinus fungus, and a couple others. So far, she has treated the majority of them and I’ve noticed the astounding outcomes! Dr. Tan even cured my sensitivity to my favorite food, potatoes which would have been tortuous for me to give up! In addition to this, I have had a wicked time with motion sickness throughout my short life. Whenever I go on a ferryboat or make a car trip with windy roads, I’ll either throw up or have horrible stomach issues. Dr. Tan has just recently treated me for this condition as well and now I can’t wait to do both to test the results! Dr. Tan has helped me enjoy my life so much more rather than having to check the environment constantly for vog or numerous amounts of dust, or having to avoid dairy products and my favorite comfort food, potatoes, and has opened a new door to living and breathing a whole new life. Thank you Dr. Tan for everything. A contented and happy faced 16 year old.

 EJ, Moloka’i

Food Allergies

Being a naturopath as well, I have been aware of food as allergens to cause digestive problems.

Thus I have tried a lot hypoallergenic diets to decrease my symptoms and address my health. These diets did help while on them, however, staying on them all of the time proved to be difficult. After hearing Dr. Tan speak at a lecture about Advanced Allergy Testing, I thought, I need to give that a try.


Since working with Dr. Tan, my digestive symptoms such as bloating, indigestion, and a constant “full feeling” have decreased and even gone away while returning foods into my diet that I have been avoiding for years.


Thank You, thank you, Dr. Tan for all your help!! – Summer Baptist, ND, LAc, Honolulu, HI

Salt sensitivity

Salty foods always make me bloat, so I have been very careful to watch my salt intake.

One treatment for this sensitivity cleared my symptoms. I still watch my intake for my health, but I notice that when I do eat something salty, I no longer have any fluid retention. I never thought this would be possible–I always figured that I was someone who could never tolerate salt. – Anonymous patient

Environmental & Food Allergies

I have been suffering from environmental and food allergies since childhood. 

Years of allergy medications helped to clear the sinus congestion, runny nose and itchy eyes, but also came with a long list of side effects.  Dr Tan has shown me a better way.  She listened carefully to my health history and current concerns, then tailored an allergy elmination program specifically for me.  Dr Tan took the time to answer my questions and even recommended 2 books.  After only a few months of treatment,  I am breathing easier and have developed a new sense of well-being.  I finally feel like I am in control of my allergies, instead of  the other way around.  After living for so many years with allergy symptoms, it is wonderful to enjoy the smells of nature, all without drugs.  I highly recommend Dr Tan.


Elissa Koskela, Kaneohe, Hawaii

Behavior & Food Sensitivities

AAT has made a tremendous difference in my son’s behavior.

Prior to treatment, nothing I did could modify his abnormal sleep schedule. Since 18 months of age, Dason slept at 2-3 am and woke 6-7 times a night up to 2 years of age, 3-4 times a night up to 30 months and 2-3 times a night up to age 3. More recently, prior to treatment, he slept at 4-5 am and woke 1-2 times a night. Since receiving treatments, he is sleeping at 10:30 pm and staying down for the night 50-60 % of the time and if he wakes up, its only once a night.
Dason’s irritability and ‘hyped-up’ behavior has also been a major concern. He received occupational therapy to address sensory issues which contributed to this behavior. However, after personal research, I decided to examine a possible dietary link. In 1-2 weeks of a strict elimination diet, Dason’s behavior improved notably. However, avoidance of all possible dietary allergenic substances was next to impossible and cooking for Dason proved extremely difficult and time consuming. I could not find a medical professional receptive to treating sensory concerns with a dietary approach so I decided to try a naturopathc approach.
Thankfully, AAT treatments with Dr Tan has proven effective. It’s given our family our life back. Prior to treatment, I slept little and at odd hours and spent most waking hours managing food issues and poor behavior. That’s all changed for the better. It’s finally, for me, an answer to what was once a very desperate situation. – Dee Lee, Waipahu, HI

Chronic Sinus & Skin Allergies

Dr. Tan has changed my life!

I had been taking allergy shots once every three weeks, taking Singular daily, going for acupuncture every three weeks, and taking Benadryl every 4 hrs when my symptoms flared up.  I could only be outdoors about 30 minutes before my sinuses got stuffy, my body would itch all over, and my back broke out in hives. Needless to say, I spent most of my time indoors. I was always congested even indoors.

I also had food sensitivities as well. Eating foods I was allergic to made me feel nauseous and gassy.  I also had cramps and diarrhea.  Needless to say, my diet was very limited as well.

After Dr Tan treated me, I can walk on grass with bare feet for the first time in more than 20 years.  I am also able to  enjoy going on long hikes and being outdoors without suffering and without medications.   I can eat more variety of foods now.  All the unpleasant symptoms I used to have after eating these foods are gone!

Since we got back to Tennessee,  I have been to several outdoor events.
1. A four hour concert outside.
2. A party around a fire pit for 3 1/2 hours.
3. Our neighbors came down and we talked outdoors for 3 hours. (Never would have happened before I saw you)
4. I  made 2 entire soccer games without any stuffiness.

 

If you have allergies and want relief, go to Dr Tan!  Do it now so that you can be in charge of your life and not have your allergies dictate what you can and cannot do.

Monica Thomas, Maryville, TN

 

Center for Innovative Medicine Honolulu

Center for Innovative Medicine Honolulu