What is food intolerance? What causes food intolerance?

Food Intolerance Food intolerance, also known as non-IgE mediated food hypersensitivity or non-allergic food hypersensitivity, refers to difficulty in digesting certain foods. Food intolerance is different from food allergy. Food allergy triggers the immune system, while food intolerance does not. Some people suffer digestive problems after eating certain foods even though their immune system has not reacted – there is no histamine response.

Foods most commonly associated with food intolerance include dairy products, grains that contain gluten, and foods that cause intestinal gas buildup, such as beans and cabbage.

It can be difficult to determine whether the patient has food intolerance or allergy, because often signs and symptoms overlap. When it is an allergy even small amounts result in symptoms, as may be the case with peanuts. With food intolerance tiny amounts will usually have no effect. Doctors can also test for Immunoglobin E (IgE) antibodies.

The best current treatment for food intolerance is to either avoid certain foods or eat them less often and in smaller amounts, as well as taking some supplements that may help digestion.

[header 3]What are the signs and symptoms of food intolerance?[/header]

A symptom is something the sufferer feels and describes, such as pain or discomfort, while a sign is something others can detect, such as a rash.

The symptoms of food intolerance generally take longer to emerge, compared to food allergies. Onset typically occurs several hours after ingesting the offending food or compound and may persist for several hours or days. In some cases symptoms may take 48 hours to emerge.

Some people are intolerant to several groups of foods, making it harder for doctors to determine whether it might be a chronic illness or food intolerance. Identifying which foods are culprits can take a long time.

The following are the most common symptoms of food intolerance:

  • Abdominal cramps
  • Asthma-like symptoms
  • Bloating
  • Dark circles under the eyes
  • Diarrhea
  • Dry cough
  • Eczema
  • Fatigue
  • Flatulence (farting)
  • Headache
  • Irritable bowel
  • Joint pains
  • Mouth ulcers
  • Nasal congestion
  • Night sweats
  • Rashes
  • Sinusitis
  • Throat irritations
  • Vomiting

What are the causes of food intolerance? Continue Reading

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