Food Allergies vs. Food Intolerances: Understanding the Difference for Better Digestive Health
Food Allergies
Food Allergies are reactions by the body to the ingestion of certain foods. Allergies affect the immune system, which serves to keep the body healthy. Allergic reactions happen when the immune system identifies proteins in food as bad. After attacking the food, it causes the reaction. It does not take a lot to trigger allergic reactions. Some reactions can be minor or significant; there is no way to tell which one will be. If food has caused minor allergic reactions, there is a potential for it to cause worse ones in the future. Food allergies often run in families. Some people have genetic predispositions to food allergies. They are not passed down directly. If someone's parents or siblings have allergies to certain foods, there is a higher chance they might develop an allergy. Foods that can commonly cause allergies are dairy, eggs, nuts, seafood, wheat, sesame, and soy.
Symptoms
Food allergies have a wide range of symptoms. Symptoms can be minor or severe. Regardless, it is important to treat them as quickly as possible. Some common symptoms are:
Dizziness
Itchy or tingly mouth
Swelling of the mouth, throat, or face
Hives or other rashes
Coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath
Vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain
Trouble swallowing
Diagnosis
Diagnosing food allergies is not always very easy. Doctors will examine patients’ symptoms and ask several questions. They will be sure to ask three main questions. What did you eat? How much of it did you eat? How long it took for symptoms to arise, and how long have they lasted? After getting a baseline reaction, doctors can also administer a skin or blood test.
In a skin test, the doctor uses the patient’s skin to determine whether they are allergic to a specific allergen. The doctor applies a liquid containing the alleged allergen on the patient's skin. They then prick the skin and allow the allergen to enter the patient’s body. If the area of the test reacts negatively, it shows that the patient is allergic to the test allergen.
Another way to test for allergies is to get a blood test. Blood tests are not as effective as skin tests. Blood tests measure the amount of antibodies for specific foods in the blood. It gives the doctor insight to if there is an abnormality that causes allergies.
Treatment
There is no cure for food allergies. There are a couple of emergency treatment options. For mild allergic reactions, doctors prescribe antihistamines. Some are over the counter. They are only good for treating minor symptoms like hives or rashes. For severe cases of food allergies, an epinephrine injection is necessary. For severe cases where the use of epinephrine is necessary, it is important to follow up with a trip to the emergency room. Professionals should monitor since secondary reactions can follow.
Food Intolerances
A food intolerance is when the body has trouble digesting a certain food or ingredient in the food. It occurs because the body can be missing an enzyme needed to digest certain foods. Another cause of food intolerance is irritable bowel syndrome. Food intolerance is not a serious issue, but it can be very uncomfortable. It is not life-threatening, but if you suffer from food intolerance, it is important to know how to improve your quality of life. Common causes of food intolerances are lactose, gluten, or histamines.
Symptoms
Symptoms of intolerance do not appear as quickly as those of allergies. They usually affect the person a few hours after eating. Some symptoms of food intolerances can be like those of food allergies. Some common symptoms are:
Diarrhea
Bloating, gas, or heartburn
Abdominal pain
Nausea
Headaches
Diagnosis
There are few options for testing for food intolerances. One of the only tests available is a hydrogen breath test that tests for lactose intolerance. Patients will drink a lactose-based drink and breathe into the testing container. If the test shows high levels of hydrogen, doctors can diagnose lactose intolerance.
Other food intolerances are best tested by eliminating foods from a diet. For people who believe they are suffering from food intolerance, adjusting their diet and leaving certain foods out is best. If they begin to feel better, they know they are intolerant.
Treatment
Similar to diagnosing, the best treatment for food intolerances is avoidance. Avoiding foods that cause abdominal pain and digestive issues is the best way to treat and manage food intolerances.
If you are suffering from food intolerance and are looking for professional help, GastroMed is here for you. At GastroMed, we understand that going to the doctor can be stressful. That's why we want to make it easy for you. With several gastroenterologist Miami locations, our teams will do all they can to ensure that you get the best care possible.