Hyperventilation is caused by over breathing, by inhaling too much oxygen. Although it is very distressing for the individual, it is not usually a sign of physical illness. Often result from anxiety or panic.

Symptoms of Hyperventilation

• Gulping in air
• Rapid and deep breathing
• Dizziness
• Altered sensation in hands and around face with tingling
• Confusion and inability to think straight

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Inflammation of the liver, which can be cause by various conditions, including alcohol excess, viral infections such as hepatitis A, B and C, and as a side effect of drug therapy or because of an overdose of Paracetamol. Hepatitis may range from extremely serious, even life-threatening, to mild.

Hepatitis Symptoms

• Fatigue, tiredness, weakness and lethargy
• May be jaundice
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Reduced desire for alcohol and even cigarettes
• May be extreme itchiness
• May be dark urine – brown, dark yellow or orange – after a few days
• May be pale faeces
• Liver may swollen and tender to the touch
• Fever, possibly intermittent in nature, and sweating
• Abdominal pain on the right side
• Breath may smell sweet or of faeces
• Drowsiness and confusion

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Glandular Fever also known as “Kissing Disease” is a contagious viral disease, passed by direct contact (such as kissing). The disease is characterized by swollen glands, fever and possibly skin eruptions.

Glandular Fever Symptoms

• Fever which may last for weeks
• Lymph nodes are enlarged and tender
• Lymph nodes at the back of the head may be most severely affected
• May be difficult to open the mouth because of the swelling
• Excessive production of saliva in the mouth
• Sore throat often with discharge on the tonsils
• Generally feeling unwell
• Spleen may also be affected and enlarged
• Resultant fatigue may last for months
• May occasionally be associated with generalized rash
• Occasionally can affect other organs including the lungs, heart and brain

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Food poisoning, or more severely Gastroenteritis, can cause milt to severe symptoms, which occasionally in vulnerable groups, such as babies, infants and elderly, can be potentially severe and even fatal. Caused by bacteria or viruses from poorly prepared, contaminated, rotten or badly cleaned food.

Signs and Symptoms

• Vomiting: starts with usual stomach contents of undigested food but if vomiting persists may become green and less viscous, with mucous and clear slime
• Skin looks pale, particularly before vomiting or diarrhoea
• Abdominal pain and cramps
• Diarrhoea with faeces which are runny, watery and loose: these above two symptoms are actually far more common in bouts of food poisoning than vomiting
• May be headache
• May be joint and muscle pain
• May be an associated fever
• In severe cases, may be collapse caused by dehydration

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Vomiting is very common during infancy and childhood and is usually caused by an illness or stomach upset. In infants it is important to distinguish between vomiting and “spitting up,” which is very typical in babies. Babies spit up if they are fed too fast or too much, and this is not considered to be a problem.

Mild vomiting in children likewise is not serious, but severe vomiting can strain the stomach and esophagus and may cause internal bleeding. Continual vomiting also can lead to dehydration, shock, or metabolic problems; if the vomited material is inhaled into the lungs it can cause PNEUMONIA. Intentional vomiting in teenagers (BULIMIA) can lead to tooth problems and electrolyte disturbances that can affect the heart’s function, and it can be fatal.

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Anxiety is both a medical condition and a state of nerves and tension. Most individuals will experience the latter as part of usual life, and such feelings can be exacerbated by smoking, drinking coffee, missing meals and drinking, but it is possible that this becomes a chronic and debilitating condition. This will usually be caused by psychological or psychiatric problems beyond the control of the individual, rather than by physical illness, and is often associated with Depression. Anxiety, however, may be an indication of a serious physical condition.

Possible Conditions

• Alcohol or Narcotics
• Caffeine
• Dementia
• Cluster Headache
• Depression and Manic Depression
• Hyperthyroidism
• Hyperventilation
• Low Blood Sugar
• Post-Viral Syndrome
• Shock
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

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Despite common belief to the contrary, allergy to iodine, allergy to radiocontrast material (used in some lab procedures), and allergy to fish or shellfish are not related. A child with an allergy to fish or shellfish should not worry about cross-reactions with radiocontrast dyes or iodine.

Soy Soybeans have become a major part of processed food products in the United States, and it can be hard to avoid products made with soybeans. While soybeans alone are not a major food in the typical American diet, because they are contained in so many products, eliminating all those foods can result in an unbalanced diet. A dietitian should be consulted to help plan for proper nutrition. Soybeans and soy products are found in baked goods, canned tuna, cereals, crackers, infant formulas, sauces, and soups. At east one brand of peanut butter lists soy on the label.

Studies show that soy lecithin and soybean oil can be tolerated by most soy-allergic individuals. Wheat It may not be obvious in what products wheat can be hidden, so labels should be read carefully. Wheat is contained in some brands of hot dogs, ice cream, and imitation crabmeat. Wheat flour is sometimes flavored and shaped to look like beef, pork, and shrimp, especially in Asian dishes.

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Food Allergy is an immune system response to a food that the body mistakenly believes is harmful. Once the immune system decides that a particular food is harmful, it creates specific antibodies to it in an attempt to protect the body. The next time the child eats that food, the immune system releases massive amounts of chemicals (including histamine) in order to protect the body.

These chemicals trigger a cascade of allergic symptoms that can affect breathing, the heart, the skin, or the gastrointestinal tract. Most food allergies trigger reactions such as itching, hives, and swelling, but in some cases a more serious response known as anaphylactic shock can occur. This leads to a loss of consciousness or even death.

Scientists estimate that between six and seven million Americans suffer from true food allergies. Many food allergies disappear as the child gets older; about a third of cases disappear in one to two years if the child carefully avoids the offending item. However, allergies to peanuts, nuts, fish, and shellfish often do not disappear with time. Many different common foods may trigger an allergic reaction, including citrus fruits, dairy products, wheat, eggs, fish, cola drinks, artificial coloring, shellfish, berries, tomatoes, pork, and nuts. Infants prone to allergies may be especially sensitive to milk and milk products, wheat, eggs, and citrus fruits.

Allergic reactions can be caused by even very tiny (even undetectable) amounts of the food. For example, a child who is allergic to peanuts could go into anaphylactic shock after eating a food that only has been touched by peanuts. Food additives also may cause problems. About 15 percent of children who are allergic to aspirin are also sensitive to Yellow Dye # 5 (tartrazine).

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