Westchester Health Tips

People under severe physical stress, such as people receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer, frequently struggle with eating, which makes getting adequate nutrition difficult.

Many of us know that a poor diet can wreck havoc on our bodies, but did you know that diet plays an even bigger role in cancer treatment? According to the National Cancer Institute, malnutrition is seen in as many as 40 percent of cancer-related deaths.

When someone eats a food to which they are allergic, their immune system reacts in a variety of ways. The greatest danger is anaphylactic shock, which can be life-threatening, but other reactions include rashes, itching and swelling, hives, wheezing or difficulty breathing. The most common food allergens include peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, eggs, wheat, soy products and milk, which can be especially difficult for parents of school-aged children. The list of foods that allergic kids must avoid can be lengthy.