What is Food Intolerance? Its Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, And Treatment

You may have a food intolerance if you frequently experience digestive discomfort after eating certain foods. Food intolerance is different from food allergies because it is not an immune system reaction. Instead, it is a digestive problem that can be caused by many different factors.

Food sensitivity and intolerance are widespread problems that appear to be rising faster. According to estimates, up to 20% of people worldwide may be food intolerant.

There are many distinct kinds of food intolerance, and each person may experience different symptoms. So what are food intolerance causes, how to diagnose it, and what are its possible treatments? Read the article to find out more.

What Is Food Intolerance?

Food allergies and food intolerance are two different conditions, but they can have a few similar symptoms; hence many people get confused trying to differentiate between them.

Food intolerance occurs when you can't adequately digest a specific food, and your body has problems metabolizing and absorbing it. This is because your body lacks the necessary enzymes to digest several types of food properly. Food intolerance is not a serious or life-threatening condition.

Depending on the severity of your food intolerance, you may be able to consume tiny amounts of food without experiencing any issues, or you might need to avoid it entirely.

Symptoms OF Food Intolerance

The quantity of food consumed by a person with a food intolerance affects how severe their symptoms are.

It may take some time for food intolerance symptoms to manifest. The symptoms may start several hours after eating food and may last for hours or even days.

A few of the most common food intolerance symptoms are

• Stomach Pain
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Chronic muscle or joint pain
• Sweating, or increased heart rate or blood pressure
• Headaches or migraines
• Inability to concentrate or feeling like your brain is "foggy."
• Shortness of breath

If your body has trouble digesting specific foods, it can affect your hormones and metabolism or even cause inflammation, resulting in any of the symptoms listed above. And these can affect any (or all) parts of the body, not just your gastrointestinal system.

Difference Between Food Allergy And Food Intolerance.

Food allergy is when your body sees food as a threat and has an immune reaction to it. In comparison, food intolerance is when your body can't digest food properly.

Both can cause similar symptoms, but food allergy is usually more severe and can be life-threatening.

Most Common Type Of Food Intolerance

Food intolerances develop when the body has trouble breaking down a particular food. A lack of digestive enzymes or sensitivity to specific substances could bring on this dysfunction.

Below are the three most common types of food intolerance

1. Lactose Intolerance

Some people lack the enzyme lactase-an enzyme that breaks down lactose to be absorbed into the bloodstream.

When people with lactose intolerance eat lactose-containing products, the sugar molecule remains entrapped in the intestine and doesn't absorb, so the bacteria in the gut will feast on this sugar and release a variety of chemicals and gasses.

Ingestion of lactose-containing food results in bloating and abdominal pain.

2. Gluten Intolerance

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, Rye, and barley.

Gluten Intolerance is when a person experiences bad symptoms after eating foods containing gluten.

For people with gluten Intolerance, eating gluten can cause various symptoms, including.

• Abdominal pain
• Bloating
• Diarrhea
• Constipation.
• People with gluten Intolerance may also experience
• Fatigue, Anxiety, Headache, and Brain fog

It's also very important to note that gluten Intolerance is different from celiac disease.

Celiac disease is when the body sees gluten as a threat and tries to fight it with an immune response. An abnormal gene causes celiac disease, and it can cause damage to the intestines.

On the other hand, gluten Intolerance is not that serious.

3. Histamine

During food storage and fermentation, bacteria produce amines, which are found in various foods.

Although there are many other amines, histamine is the one that is most usually linked to food intolerances.

Histamine intolerance is not actually a sensitivity to histamine, but rather there is too much histamine in your body.

This can result in and induce symptoms like bloating, acid reflux, food allergies, diarrhea, irregular menstrual cycles, clogged sinuses, and those symptoms linked to allergic reactions.

An excess of histamine can bring on Itching, hives, eczema, and rashes, and some other skin diseases.

Due to the identical symptoms, IBS is frequently misdiagnosed in patients.

For anyone who already has too much histamine in their body or has reduced DAO activity, even the smallest amount of food with histamine can cause the symptoms.

How Is Food Intolerance Diagnosed?

Lactose Intolerance -Lactose intolerance can be identified via a hydrogen breath test. You sip a lactose-containing beverage during this test. Then, for a few hours, you breathe into a balloon-like container every 30 minutes.

Undigested lactose will result in excessive hydrogen levels in your breath if you are lactose intolerant.

A test for histamine intolerance or gluten sensitivity does not exist. Food intolerances cannot be found by test, and only food allergy tests are available. Your doctor might advise you to keep a food journal to record your meals and symptoms.

Food Intolerance Test

Food allergy assessments are available from a variety of providers, but they are not based on empirical evidence and are not recommended by the British Dietary Association (BDA).

Observing your symptoms and the foods you consume is the quickest way to determine food intolerance. If food intolerance is ignored, it could lead to more significant health issues.

You can attempt an elimination diet or speak with your doctor about possible ways to overcome food intolerance. Many countries offer food intolerance tests; for instance, Dubai offers food intolerance tests Dubai at your doorstep where you have professional and certified healthcare at your doorstep which can help you diagnose the food Intolerance symptoms, its tests, and possible ways to overcome them.

Treatment:

For two to six weeks, you can try an elimination diet, which involves cutting out specific foods from your diet. If symptoms disappear over this period and come back when you start eating the item again, you may have a food intolerance from that specific food or substance.

Lactose-free milk and dairy products are available for those who are lactose intolerant to ingest. Drug stores also sell lactase enzymes to break down the lactose in milk, you can either take lactase pills or add lactase drops directly to the milk.

Final Verdict

Food Intolerance is the most prevalent health issue, which is treatable with a correct diagnosis and a healthy diet.

However, it is essential to speak with your doctor for clarification before adopting any self-directed precautions.

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