Many people are unaware that diseases, disorders, and discomforts ranging from autism to diabetes can be related to, or exacerbated by, food and chemical sensitivities. Moreover, learning difficulties, behavioral issues, and sleep disturbances can be directly linked to dietary stressors and environmental toxins. The following lists have been assembled to increase awareness of the pervasive and serious nature of issues associated with food and chemical sensitivities and the various and unexpected ways that they may manifest.

21 Most Common Symptoms of Food Intolerance

Acne
Anxiety
Asthma
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Autism
Bed-wetting
Chronic diarrhea
Depression
Diabetes
Ear infections
Eczema
Fatigue
Hay fever
Headaches (tension type and migraine)
Inflammatory bowel disease
Muscle aches
Obesity
Panic attacks
Stuffy nose
Urticaria

Source: Your Hidden Food Allergies Are Making You Fat by Rudy Rivera, M.D., and Roger D. Deutsch, Prima Publishing, 1998, pg. 16.

Common Symptoms of Allergy Before Birth

Extreme overactivity
Prolonged hiccupping
Vigorous kicking
Mother's ribs bruised

Source: Is This Your Child? Discovering and Treating Unrecognized Allergies in Children and Adults by Doris Rapp, M.D., William Morrow and Company, Inc., 1991, pg. 102.

Common Symptoms of Possible Infant Allergy

Prolonged colic
Excessive spitting
Repeated vomiting
Diarrhea and/or constipation
Congestion of nose or chest
Eczema or itchy rashes
Restlessness
Screaming or prolonged crying
Dislike of cuddling
Need to be walked and bounced
Excessive drooling
Extreme perspiration
Excessive crib rocking
Head banging
Walking by seven to ten months
Repeated ear infections
Genital touching
Reluctance to stay dressed
Rapid pulse
Demand for constant attention

Source: Is This Your Child? Discovering and Treating Unrecognized Allergies in Children and Adults by Doris Rapp, M.D., William Morrow and Company, Inc., 1991, pg. 103.

Major Physical Symptoms of Possible Allergy in Toddlers

Red earlobes
Red cheeks
Dark eye circles
Bags under the eyes
Wrinkles under the eyes
Glassy, glazed eyes
A "spaced out" look
Wiggly, restless legs
Dislike of being touched or cuddled

Source: Is This Your Child? Discovering and Treating Unrecognized Allergies in Children and Adults by Doris Rapp, M.D., William Morrow and Company, Inc., 1991, pg. 125.

Possible Major Complaints

Hyperactivity
Restlessness
Irritability
Hostility, aggression
Temper tantrums
Depression
Fatigue
Withdrawn or untouchable
Headache
Asthma
Coughing
Nose allergies
Eye allergies
Eczema, hives, or itchy skin
Intestinal problems (bloating, belching, nausea)
Diarrhea or constipation
Halitosis
Leg or muscle aches
Wets pants in daytime
Nighttime bed-wetting
Baggy eyes
Dark eye circles
Red ears, cheeks, nose tip
Wiggly legs
Can't read, write, or draw at times
Nonstop talking

Source: Is This Your Child? Discovering and Treating Unrecognized Allergies in Children and Adults by Doris Rapp, M.D., William Morrow and Company, Inc., 1991, pg. 195.

Over 100 Medically Recognized Symptoms of Allergy

Neurological symptoms:

Headache
Depression
Fatigue
Sleeplessness (insomnia)
Neuralgia
Feeling of indecision
Moodiness
Melancholy
Withdrawal
Apathy
Emotional instability
Impaired coordination
Impaired comprehension
Nervousness
Stammering
Fainting
Aphasia (inability to speak or find the appropriate word)
Mental lapses
Blackouts
Paranoid thinking
Delusions
Hallucinations
Amnesia
Coma
Lethargy
Disorientation
Irritability
Epilepsy
Dizziness
Violent behavior
Hyperactivity

Joint symptoms:

Arthritis
Swollen ankles
Arthralgia (joint pain)

Circulatory symptoms:

Chest pain
Irregular heartbeat
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Hypotension (low blood pressure)
Irregular pulse
Anemia
Edema
Angina pectoris (heart pain)
Phlebitis (inflammation of a vein)

Respiratory symptoms:

Runny nose
Asthma
Wheezing, shortness of breath
Coughing
Bronchitis
Sinusitis

Gastrointestinal symptoms:

Excessive gas
Diarrhea
Constipation
Colitis
Stomach cramps
Nausea
Vomiting
Abdominal pain
Canker sores
Peptic ulcers
Gall bladder pain
Belching
Heartburn
Salivation
Food cravings
Gagging
Hunger pains
Diverticulitis
Indigestion
Hemorrhoids
Duodenal ulcer
Bloating

Skin symptoms:

Itching
Eczema
Clammy skin
Tendency towards bleeding and bruising
Hives
Sweating
Acne
Cracked skin

Musculo-skeletal symptoms:

Neckache
Myalgia (muscle pain)
Backache

Hormonal symptoms:

Dysmenorrhea
Frigidity
Impotence

Other symptoms:

Multiple sclerosis
Cataracts
Conjunctivitis
Failure to thrive (in infants)
Diabetes
Sneezing spells
Hoarseness
Otitis media (inflammation, discharge from ear, earaches)
Obesity
Swelling around the eyes
Fever
Bed-wetting
Low blood sugar
Tinnitus (ringing of the ear)

Source: Allergies: Disease in Disguise: How to Heal Your Allergic Condition Permanently and Naturally by Carolee Bateson-Koch, D.C., N.D., Alive Books, 1994, pg. 39-41.

Typical Chemical Sensitivity or "Sick Building Syndrome" Symptoms

Headaches
Lethargy
Dizziness
Malaise
Weakness
Nausea
Flushing
Eye itch or irritation
Dry eyes
Blurred vision
Stuffy or watery nose
Dry throat
Arthralgia or joint pain
Skin problems
Cough and asthma
Numbness and tingling
Muscle weakness
Muscle cramps
Weight loss
Insomnia
Confusion
Loss of memory
Poor concentration
Edema
Moodiness
Depression
Fatigue
Increased perspiration
Hyperactivity
Loss of voice or laryngitis
Hearing loss
Irregular heartbeat

Source: Is This Your Child? Discovering and Treating Unrecognized Allergies in Children and Adults by Doris Rapp, M.D., William Morrow and Company, Inc., 1991, pg. 266.

Allergic Tension Fatigue Syndrome (ATFS)

Hyperactive, uncontrollably wile, unrestrained
Fatigued, weak, weary, exhausted, listless
Nonstop talk, repetition, loud talk, stuttering
Inattentive, disruptive, impulsive
Short attention span, unable to concentrate
Restless legs, finger tapping
Clumsy, poor coordination, tremor
Insomnia, nightmares, inability to fall asleep and wake up
Nervous, irritable, upset, short-tempered, moody
High-strung, excitable, agitated
Depressed, easily moved to tears, temperamental
Oversensitive to odor, light, sound, pain, and cold

Source: Is This Your Child? Discovering and Treating Unrecognized Allergies in Children and Adults by Doris Rapp, M.D., William Morrow and Company, Inc., 1991, pg. 328.