1. Allergy

According to a recent  American study  food allergies are becoming more  common ,  especially  among children. About 8 % of those under 18 have developed  an allergy – a total of 6 million children in the USA.

Food allergies occur when our body’s immune system  attacks harmless  food proteins  that it thinks are dangerous. The body  develops chemicals called  histamines . These chemicals can  affect  skin, blood cells, lungs the stomach and even the heart.

The foods that are mostly responsible  for such allergies are cow’s milk, eggs, peanuts, fish, nuts and wheat .

But why are food allergies increasing? Experts give many reasons. One reason is that everything is too clean. Our body does not have the training to fight off attackers. In a world of pasteurized milk or antibacterial soap we no longer have the power to fight off germs and harmful bacteria . Chemicals in our foods have also changed them.  Genetic engineering has changed most of the food we eat today. Some people are also allergic to additives in foods and food coloring.

Even though food allergies can affect everyone, you may be especially at risk  if your parents also have food allergies.  Although a food allergy can begin at any age most allergies start in childhood. Some allergies go away when you grow up, like milk or egg allergies. Others, like fish or nut allergies are probably with you your whole life.

Many symptoms are related to a food allergy. In some cases you feel itching in your mouth or your lips may swell. When histamines reach the breathing system they may cause asthma .  Allergens that get into the stomach may cause vomiting or diarrhoea. Sometimes allergies even lead to unconsciousness and may threaten your life.

At least one third of the children affected are allergic to more than one kind of food. They have problems staying healthy and getting the right diet.

Parents whose children have allergies should always have antihistamine and epinephrine with them. These drugs act quickly and let children breathe better.  They work against allergic reactions.

1. according to   = as said by

2. additive   = something that you put into food to make it taste or  look better

3. affect   = have an effect on

4. allergen   = substance that causes an allergy

5. although   = while

6. antibacterial   = something that kills off bacteria

7. antihistamine   = medicine  that works against allergies

8. asthma   = a condition in which you have trouble breathing

9. at risk   = in danger

10. attack   = hit, try to damage

11. bacteria   = very small living things some of which can cause disease or illness

12. cause   = lead to

13. childhood   = when you are a child

14. common   = widespread

15. develop   = build up, grow

16. diarrhoea   = an illness in which the waste that usually comes out of your body is watery

17. diet   = the kind of food that you normally eat

18. epinephrine   = hormone that makes your heart beat faster; it increases blood pressure and opens up airways in the lungs

19. especially   = above all

20. even though   = while

21. fight off   = fight against, defend yourself

22. genetic engineering   = changing the structure of a plant or animal  in order to make them stronger or healthier

23. germ   = microorganism, bacteria

24. histamine   = a chemical substance that your body produces during an allergic reaction

25. increase   = to go up

26. itch   = to have a bad feeling on your skin ; you want to rub it with your hands or nails

27. occur   = happen

28. pasteurized   = to heat milk and kill off harmful bacteria

29. protein   = natural substances that are in food and which your body needs to grow healthy and strong

30. relate to   = are about

31. recent   = new, fresh

32. responsible   = to blame for

33. stomach   = the organ in our body which digests our food

34. study   = a piece of work that is done to find out more about a subject

35. swell   = to become larger and rounder than normal

36. symptom   = sign that comes up when something is wrong with your body

37. threaten   = endanger

38. unconsciousness   = you are not able to see or hear or move parts of your body  in a normal way

39. vomit   = to bring food or liquid that you have eaten up from your stomach and through your mouth because you are ill

40. wheat   = a grain that bread is made from