THE COMPLETE BOOK OF ALLERGY CONTROL

by Laura J. Stevens ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 14, 1983

Sound advice on the wide spectrum of allergic responses--less comprehensive than Faelten (above) and others, but especially strong on elimination diets. Stevens' expertise comes first-hand, as one member of a particularly allergy-prone family; chocolate, formaldehyde, and other common substances were found to be causing her symptoms. To help readers track down their own allergy-causing offenders, Stevens first differentiates between traditional and non-traditional views of allergies: non-traditional allergists (whose approach Stevens, like Faelten, endorses) use the term allergy to refer to any ""sensitivity, intolerance, or susceptibility to substances that don't bother the average person""--vs. traditional allergists' insistence on the demonstration of a physiological immune response before acknowledging that an allergy exists. With this looser definition, symptoms such as headaches, nausea, lethargy, and even behavioral changes can be traced to environmental factors--petroleum-based products, for example--which can then be removed. Stevens directs readers in keeping diaries of symptoms and exposures, and explains how to analyze the two to see if-allergy is indeed the problem; she also describes what medical diagnosis and treatment will entail. (Some factors affecting susceptibility to allergies--breastfeeding, diet, stress, and toxic-metal exposure--play important roles here.) With extensive instructions on ""Adapting Recipes for Elimination Diets""--yet another good entry in a well-stocked area.

Pub Date: Oct. 14, 1983

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Macmillan

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1983

Categories: NONFICTION