What are Panic Attacks?
A panic attack can occur suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere. It is an intense episode of fear that develops within minutes. It can be accompanied by physical symptoms such as palpitations, sweating, trembling, and breathing difficulties. Panic attacks often occur without any apparent reason. Panic attacks are not solely triggered by stress or psychological disorders; there is often a longer path leading up to them, which can potentially be triggered by diet.
Difference Between Intolerance and Allergy
Intolerance is a non-immune system response, often linked to the digestive system. For example, histamine intolerance, meaning symptoms worsen with larger amounts of the substance.
Allergy, on the other hand, involves the immune system. It occurs when the immune system mistakenly identifies a harmless substance (like peanuts or pollen) as a threat. Allergic reactions can range from mild (rash or sneezing) to severe and life-threatening (anaphylaxis). Allergies can occur even with tiny amounts of the allergen.
What Does "HiGluTrigger" Mean?
HiGluTrigger = Histamine Intolerance + Gluten Sensitivity as Triggers for Panic Attacks
What is Histamine Intolerance?
Histamine intolerance is an acquired or genetically predisposed, yet often puzzling, metabolic disorder. The exact causes are not fully understood, but one thing is clear: our bodies have a tolerance limit for histamine
Imagine histamine intolerance as a barrel that can only be filled up to a certain level. Our body needs histamine to regulate various processes, but when the barrel overflows, uncomfortable symptoms arise. The intensity and duration of these symptoms can vary — from days, hours, to minutes.
The effects can include: stomach cramps, diarrhea, colic, migraines, asthma, heart palpitations, circulatory problems, mental health issues like depression or anxiety disorders, etc.
Which Foods Should Be Avoided?
The histamine content in foods varies depending on factors such as ripeness, storage duration, and processing. These many influences make it difficult to classify foods by exact histamine content and tolerance. In summary, fermented, aged, and preserved foods and beverages should be eliminated from the diet. This includes everything that is preserved for longer shelf life.
Examples of foods that should be avoided include:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Canned goods, pickled foods, and processed foods
- Salami, sausages, bratwurst, cold cuts
- Long-aged cheeses (e.g., Parmesan)
- Tomatoes, avocados, spinach, beans, soy
- Strawberries, lemons, oranges
What is Gluten Sensitivity?
Gluten sensitivity (NCGS = Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity) is a hypersensitivity to gluten or other grain components, without any detectable damage to the intestinal lining and without allergic or autoimmune involvement of the immune system.
The effects can include: abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating, fatigue, headaches, muscle and joint pain, depression, anxiety disorders, panic attacks, burnout, etc.
Which Foods Should Be Avoided?
Gluten is found in various grains such as spelt, wheat, barley, rye, einkorn, and kamut, among others.
Any products made from these grains, such as flour, pasta, or bread, also contain gluten. However, gluten can also be found in many products where you might not expect it, such as in sausages, toothpaste, couscous, etc.
Why Caution with Medications?
If you have histamine intolerance, caution is required when taking medications. Many "regular" medications contain or block histamine.
This includes, in particular, pain-relieving substances such as mefenamic acid, metamizole, diclofenac, indomethacin, acetylcysteine, and acetylsalicylic acid, among others. Therefore, it is important to determine which medications are compatible and which are not.
Medications for Histamine Intolerance?
Many of the symptoms of histamine intolerance are treated with antihistamines. These are prescribed by a doctor and can help alleviate symptoms when they occur. Additionally, there are dietary supplements containing the histamine-degrading enzyme DAO, which may provide supportive effects, although there is no conclusive evidence of its efficacy.
