The staff was extremely knowledgeable and efficient. Everyone was so happy to help.
C
Casey Whipple
a month ago
Allergic Gastrointestinal Treatment in Texas
Identify what your gut is reacting to, and live without the discomfort.
The team at Cure Allergy Clinic is dedicated to providing high-quality, compassionate care to alleviate your allergy symptoms so you can enjoy doing what you love. With our expertise, our board-certified physicians will educate and guide you through your conditions.
Allergic reactions in the digestive tract can cause anything from mild discomfort to severe, disruptive symptoms. At Cure Allergy Clinic, Dr. M. Waseem Imam and our team use comprehensive testing to get to the root of the problem and treat it directly, rather than just managing symptoms.
We help patients of all ages across Arlington, Irving, Mansfield, and the surrounding North Texas communities. For your convenience, we accept most insurance plans, offer same-day appointments, and our team includes Spanish and Arabic-speaking staff to better serve our community. Call (817) 678-5575 to schedule, or use our online form.
Find Quick Relief: What Are Allergic Gastrointestinal Issues?
Allergic gastrointestinal issues are digestive symptoms caused by your immune system overreacting to a food or substance. Instead of showing up as a rash or a runny nose, the allergic reaction affects your stomach, esophagus, or intestines, producing symptoms like pain, reflux, vomiting, or trouble swallowing.
These reactions can be immediate, appearing soon after you eat a specific food, or they can build over time. Many of these symptoms overlap with other digestive conditions, which is exactly why proper testing matters. It rules out other causes and pinpoints what is actually driving your symptoms.
Struggling with unexplained digestive problems? Call (817) 678-5575.
(817) 678 – 5575What Causes Allergic GI Issues?
Allergic gastrointestinal issues are caused by an immune response to specific foods or substances, often combined with imbalances in the gut. When your body wrongly identifies a food as a threat, it reacts in ways that inflame and irritate the digestive tract.
Common contributing factors include:
- Food allergies and sensitivities that trigger an immune reaction
- Imbalances in the gut microbiome, the bacteria and microbes in your digestive system
- Inflammatory conditions such as IBS or celiac disease
- Eosinophilic conditions, where allergy-related white blood cells build up in the digestive tract
Because these causes overlap and can occur together, identifying the specific trigger is the foundation of effective treatment.
What Are the Symptoms of Allergic GI Problems?
Allergic GI problems show up as digestive symptoms, sometimes immediately after eating a trigger food. While these symptoms can have other causes, testing helps confirm whether an allergy is responsible.
The most common symptoms include:
- Abdominal or stomach pain
- Reflux or heartburn
- Diarrhea
- Chronic vomiting
- Difficulty swallowing
- Chest pain
- Bloody or black stools
When to seek immediate care
Some symptoms need urgent attention. Immediate swelling of the throat after eating can signal a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) and is a medical emergency. Bloody or black stools also warrant prompt evaluation. If you experience these, seek emergency care right away.
How We Diagnose Allergic GI Issues
We diagnose allergic GI issues by first building a detailed picture of your symptoms, then using targeted testing to confirm the cause. Dr. Imam reviews your medical history, performs a physical exam, and discusses your symptoms, including their onset, frequency, and severity, before recommending specific tests.
Our comprehensive testing options include:
- Gut bacteria (microbiome) testing. Using a stool sample, we assess the bacteria and microbes in your digestive system. Results can reveal food sensitivities and flag inflammatory conditions such as IBS or celiac disease.
- IBS testing. Helps determine whether irritable bowel syndrome is contributing to your symptoms.
- Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) testing. While a definitive EoE diagnosis requires a biopsy from a gastroenterologist, our clinic specializes in pinpointing and managing the complex dietary allergens causing the inflammation to help you find long-term relief.
- Food intolerance and advanced stool testing. Further narrows down which foods and factors are triggering your reactions.
Once we know what is causing your symptoms, we can build a treatment plan around it.
Allergic GI Treatment Options & Process
Treatment for allergic GI issues focuses on reducing your immune reaction to the trigger while managing symptoms, and it is tailored to your specific situation. This is especially important when you also have related allergic conditions like asthma or sinusitis, which we treat together as a whole picture.
Your plan may include:
Allergy shots (immunotherapy)
Gradually reduce your immune sensitivity to the allergens behind your symptoms.
Sublingual drops
An at-home immunotherapy option for patients who prefer to avoid injections.
Medication
Manages symptoms and inflammation while immunotherapy works on the underlying cause.
What to expect from immunotherapy
Treatment moves through two phases. First a build-up phase, where the dose is gradually increased, followed by a maintenance phase that sustains your tolerance over time. We reevaluate your plan as needed so you can live comfortably.
Your treatment process, step by step:
- 1
Consultation and history review with Dr. Imam.
- 2
Targeted testing to identify your triggers.
- 3
A personalized treatment plan, including immunotherapy and symptom management.
- 4
Ongoing reevaluation through the build-up and maintenance phases.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are allergic gastrointestinal issues?
They are digestive symptoms, such as pain, reflux, vomiting, or trouble swallowing, caused by your immune system overreacting to a food or substance.
Can food allergies cause digestive problems?
Yes. Food allergies and sensitivities are a common cause of digestive symptoms, sometimes appearing immediately after eating the trigger food.
What are the symptoms of an allergic GI problem?
Abdominal pain, reflux, diarrhea, chronic vomiting, difficulty swallowing, chest pain, and bloody or black stools are the most common.
How are allergic GI issues diagnosed?
Through a history and physical exam followed by targeted testing, including gut microbiome testing, IBS testing, eosinophilic esophagitis testing, and food intolerance testing.
What is gut microbiome testing?
A stool-based test that examines the bacteria and microbes in your digestive system. It can reveal food sensitivities and flag inflammatory conditions like IBS or celiac disease.
What is eosinophilic esophagitis?
An allergy-driven condition where certain white blood cells build up in the esophagus, causing inflammation that can lead to difficulty swallowing and reflux.
How does immunotherapy help with GI allergies?
It gradually reduces your immune sensitivity to the trigger. Treatment moves through a build-up phase and then a maintenance phase to sustain your tolerance.
Cure Allergy Clinic
Why We're Different
More Cost-Effective Treatments
Helping our patients by offering affordable treatments.
Medications Made for Your Needs
We optimize and personalize your treatment regimen for maximum relief.
Same Day Appointments
Get the care you need, when you need it most, with flexible scheduling.
We Treat the Heart of the Problem
Via immunotherapy, we focus on the disease and not just the symptoms.
Arlington Today — Editor’s Choice 2021
We are proud Cure Allergy Clinic has been named Editor’s Choice of 2021 by Arlington Today magazine for best Allergist in Arlington, TX!
Why We're Different
Patient Experiences About Life Without Allergies
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Insurance We Accept At Cure Allergy Clinic
Cure Allergy Clinic
We Can Help You Find Relief
The team at Cure Allergy Clinic is dedicated to providing high-quality, compassionate care to alleviate your allergy symptoms so you can enjoy doing what you love. With our expertise, our board-certified physicians will educate and guide you through your conditions.
You don’t have to live with your allergies! Give our office a call at (817) 678 – 5575 today or book an appointment online for a consultation with one of our physicians.