A young boy, around 25 years old, was brought to me with severe itching all over his body. He was so restless that he was unable to stay in one place, moving around and vigorously itching his body. His history revealed that he had taken one tablet of ciprofloxacin (a quinolone group antibiotic) for a urinary infection, which resulted in a severe reaction in the form of itching. Necessary treatment relieved him of his problem, and he was advised to always inform doctors he might visit in the future about his allergy to quinolones.
Just as no two thumb impressions in the world are alike, no two human bodies are alike physiologically. Similarly, certain foods are not absorbed by all human beings.
Dr. Munawar Aziz
Celiac disease is one example of food malabsorption where wheat products are not absorbed. If not recognized early, it can be fatal due to the lack of nutrient absorption, resulting in weight loss and decreased immunity, making the body vulnerable to infections. Lactase deficiency is linked to celiac disease, but even without celiac disease, most people lack the ability to absorb milk products due to lactase deficiency.
Though not commonly recognized, fructose malabsorption is also quite common (fructose malabsorption is different from fructose intolerance!). Certain fruits with high fructose content, such as pears, apples, mangoes, melons, and ripe bananas, as well as vegetables like zucchini and eggplant, are also rich in fructose and may cause bloating, loose motions, etc., in vulnerable individuals.
Fructans are a type of carbohydrate made up of fructose molecules linked together. Found in foods like wheat, onions, garlic, and ripe bananas, fructans can promote digestive health but may cause issues for some people, especially those with celiac disease. Fructans can lead to bloating, gas, and discomfort as they ferment in the large intestine.
Allergy to certain food items is well recognized, such as peanuts, bananas, fish, rice, and cow’s milk. Therefore, certain individuals might show extreme allergic responses in the form of choking, labored breathing, itching, swelling of the lips and eyes, and in extreme cases, death.
Everybody should try to understand their body by being vigilant about which diets make them uncomfortable so that they can be avoided. Similarly, patients must inform their doctors about any allergies they have encountered in the past.
Heredity plays an important role; for example, if both parents are hypertensive, the chances of their child becoming hypertensive are nearly 100%. If only one parent suffers from hypertension, the chances are around 50%. This is also true for other chronic illnesses like diabetes and ischemic heart disease, and one may inherit certain food allergies as well, therefore, individuals with a family history of such conditions should take utmost care regarding their diet and avoid or limit certain foods.
Advice to young doctors: While treating any patient, it is always better and more rewarding to start with small doses to test the patient’s response before administering therapeutic doses to avoid any mishaps.
- Dr. Munawar Aziz
Abbottabad, Pakistan.
aziz.munawar@gmail.com
