Food intolerance case study

Health Concerns
Shirley aged 63 years had suffered with a severe persistent cough of over 25 years duration. She also complained of a very sensitive throat, heartburn, nausea and acid reflux along with low energy levels. Over the years the cough had caused her a great deal of stress and anxiety as well as weakening her confidence.

The persistent cough had made her life a complete misery and she felt it was something that she would just have to live with. It would start as soon as she woke up in the morning, with several coughing fits throughout the day, which really got her down.

Shirley says, “Once I started coughing, and that was often, I’d be off for several minutes, sometimes until I felt physically sick. People would tell me, ‘That’s a nasty cough!’ and ask if I wanted a glass of water but I knew it would do no good. Frankly it was very embarrassing.

“I used to love going to church, cinema or to art galleries, but stopped as I’d be so scared of having a coughing fit in quiet places.”

Numerous X-rays and invasive hospital tests were done, she had seen countless experts and tried every remedy possible without success. Her GP thought it was asthma so she was given an inhaler, with no effect at all. At times the cough made her feel low, so she was prescribed antidepressants. On another occasion she was given medication for acid reflux but nothing helped.

But now, after over 25 years of suffering, her cough has gone since she came to see me, for a nutritional consultation at my practice in Sheffield.

Identifying food intolerance with a nutritional consultation

After a full consultation with Shirley I strongly suspected that food intolerances were at the root of her problem. Initially I suggested cutting out dairy products, wheat and coffee. An IgG Food Intolerance test was performed to correctly identify the offending foods. Food intolerances are difficult to pick up as there is a delay, often up to 48 hours, between the consumption of food and the onset of symptoms.

Test Result
The test result confirmed that the foods causing the problem were wheat and dairy products, as I had suspected, along with yeast, kidney beans and eggs.

Before the test results were back, Shirley had begun to make the suggested changes to her diet and there was already an improvement after just one week.

Client’s own comments
“I loved omelettes, and used to get through loads of these along with plenty of milk to drink. After I received the test result, the results were dramatic.

“In as little as a week, I began feeling different and things just got better and better, with the cough virtually vanishing. The very worst I get now is a very slight tickle on rare occasions. It’s hard to explain what it’s like having the cough suddenly stop after 25 years.

“I’m starting to get the confidence back to return to the cinema and art galleries, and apart from anything else, I have so much energy.

“The healthy diet changes have taken a bit of getting used to, but I’d do anything to keep that cough away. I am lucky to have found someone who has found the real cause of my years of suffering.”

About The Author Wendy Ayers is a fully qualified nutritionist based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire and drawing clients from the surrounding areas of Ridgeway, Halfway, Mosborough, Gleadless, Renishaw, Nether Egde, Totley, Woodseats and Woodhouse To learn more about Wendy’s work, visit her GoToSee profile page here Or Visit her website www.wendyayersnutrition.co.uk