Bare Basics Diary
and that He would guide and help you with the solution.
The most inexpensive, effective, personal tool for recognizing and alleviating symptoms is the diet/activity/environment/symptom diary. An original diary form is included on this site. (This is a printable form to be used as a "master copy" - be sure to make copies before you begin to record what you eat, breathe and touch.) For best results at finding a pattern, record all exposures every day. To track an occasional symptom, you would need to record exposures on the day it happened and one to two days before.
Hay fever, rashes and hives are generally recognized as allergic reactions. But even those with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Fibromyalgia who have multiple symptoms often still do not realize:
1. that every organ system can be affected resulting in a great variety and number of symptoms (see Allergy/Sensitivity Symptoms list)
2. that ANY symptom (physical, emotional, mental) can be caused by exposure to foods,chemicals, pollens, molds, dust or other inhalants
3. symptoms can be DELAYED (i.g. food can cause a reaction up to 72 hours later, and chemicals for up to 12 hours later per one resource [however, I know E.I.'s with symptoms 24 to 48 hours after exposure to chemicals]), and reactions can be hidden
4. avoiding food allergens will help alleviate reactions to chemicals and vice versa
5. childhood allergies may not really have been "outgrown."
To help track down your hidden allergies, ask yourself:
1. When did this illness or symptom (physical, emotional, mental) start? Did you move into a different or new home or office, renovate with new carpeting, etc., exterminate against insects or weeds, buy a new pillow/bedding, or change your diet, medication or supplements? One member had been on a strict allergy diet for about six months. One day she went berserk and ate bags of cookies, cans of Mexican food, cartons of ice cream, etc. She became quite ill. Her doctor found out that she had brought a kitten and puppy home for her children just before she binged. He tested and treated her for animal dander and she went back to her diet. This phenomena is best described in the article "The Rotation Diet," from The Human Ecologist/No. 19: "Beware not only of 'trigger foods'...which put you on 'automatic pig-out' after one bite. Also be alert for 'triggering chemical exposures,' such as formaldehyde or perfumes...which make you want to binge or spree-eat when you've just had a meal. Inhalants such as molds or danders can also produce craving for different kinds of foods."
2. When do your symptoms occur? All day, every day? Chronic symptoms could be from common foods or water, chemicals in cosmetics, clothing or laundry products. Causes of symptoms that come and go are easier to track. For example, are they seasonal? Pollens and/or mold, or gas heat in the winter must be considered. Where do reactions begin? Indoors or outdoors (city, mountain, desert or beach areas), office, home or church (usually heavy with perfume and flower fragrances)?
3. What is your favorite food or drink? (Often a food allergic person will either dislike what he is allergic to and never eat it or crave and consume it regularly. If you immediately thought of a food you must eat every day and then thought "I will not give up ____________," then that food is certainly suspect. God created a large variety of food to grow seasonally so as not to overtax our digestive enzymes with repetition. But refrigeration, canning and other modern developments allow us to consume the foods we most enjoy day by day, year around. People can also be addicted to perfume, cleaning agents, paint, etc. to which they react.
Remember: Reactions are not always immediate. Symptoms from food sensitivities can take up to 72 hours to manifest themselves and go away. Come and go symptoms can be most easily detected by a diary. Constant symptoms would relate to what is eaten, breathed or touched frequently or every day. (Ask for the articles, "The Rotation Diet" and the "Elimination Diet" to help determine food sensitivities.) Record all symptoms, even such as ringing in the ears; cold hands and feet; back or joint pain; blurred vision; memory loss; being confused, fearful, or irritable; as well as the more common symptoms such as headaches, itching and vomiting. Women should record their menstrual cycles. The weather can be important, too. For example, the mold count is very high just before a rain.
Go to "Original Diary Sample Form"
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