How To Tell If You Have A Food Allergy Or Intolerance

Food allergies and intolerances (sensitivities) are not the same. Both are immune reactions, but allergies are IgE mediated and the fast and acute response of the immune system, sometimes resulting in severe and almost life-threatening conditions (breathing difficulties, swelling of lips, tongue, face, even anaphylactic shock). Food intolerances (sensitivities) are IgG mediated and the slow response of your immune system, symptoms can occur up to 72 h after eating that particular food. Also, usually symptoms are milder and more unspecific, they can range from digestive issues (gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea) to migraines, eczema and rashes, fatigue, brain fog and body pains.

How to tell if you have a food allergy

To know if you have a food allergy, you’ll need to know what you’re allergic to. Some people discover this through medical testing, but others have learned through self-diagnosis. Figuring out what you’re allergic to can be tricky, since the symptoms of different allergies can be similar, and they may not show up when you eat the food in question.

– Keep a food journal. After you’ve identified your allergies, keep track of what you’re eating. This will help you to know if you’re having an allergic reaction to a certain food, and it can help you identify any patterns that may be going on with your diet.

– Meet with a dietitian. If you’re not sure whether you’re having an allergic reaction to a certain food, it might be helpful to meet with a dietitian who can help you to figure it out. They can help you to track your diet and to understand the role those different foods play in your diet.

How to tell if you have a food intolerance

– Track your symptoms. If you’re not sure if you have a food intolerance, keep track of what happens in your body after you eat certain foods. Note the foods that cause a negative reaction and how they make you feel.

– Find out what’s causing the reaction. Once you’ve got a good idea of which foods cause a negative reaction in your body, you can work to figure out what’s causing it.

– Meet with a dietitian. If you’re not sure what’s going on with your diet, it can help to meet with a dietitian who can help you to identify the cause of your negative reactions to food.

Which foods most commonly cause allergies and intolerances?

– Dairy: Most people can drink milk without any issues, but others are unable to digest it properly. In this case, they have a dairy intolerance rather than a true dairy allergy. Many people experience a digestive reaction to dairy, including bloating and gas, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting.

– Wheat: While not everyone has a problem with wheat, those who are gluten-intolerant cannot properly digest this grain. This can lead to a variety of unpleasant symptoms, including gas, bloating, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and joint pain.

– Peanuts: Peanuts are one of the most common causes of food allergies, especially in children. While some people can eat peanuts without any negative reactions, others need to avoid them completely to keep from having an allergic reaction.

– Soy: A large number of people have difficulty digesting soy, and for these people, it is like a food allergy. People with soy allergies can experience gas, stomach cramping, diarrhea, and vomiting.

What happens after I am diagnosed with food intolerances or allergies

If you are allergic to certain foods you have to avoid it completely, if severe allergy even traces of that food might trigger symptoms (that is why in packed food there is often the warning “may contain traces of…”).

If you are intolerant to certain foods ideally you avoid them completely for a period of time determined by your doctor (depending on severity of the intolerance and symptoms) and at the same time treating your gut is recommended. Usually, herbal supplements and probiotics are prescribed. It is also recommended to check and optimize your Vit D levels, as Vit D plays an important role in your gut health and immune system. Traditional Chinese Medicine in Dubai helps you get rid of your health problems.

Conclusion

Food allergies and intolerances are both pretty common, but they can be tricky to diagnose. There are a few ways that you can tell if you have a food allergy or intolerance, though. Keep track of your diet, keep an eye on your symptoms, and meet with a dietitian if you’re not sure what’s going on with your diet. Once you know what’s going on, it’s easier to manage your diet and to eat healthy, nutritious meals. If you’re having problems with your diet, it’s important to figure out what’s going on. It’s nice to know that there is a difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance, and that you can get to the bottom of what’s going on with your diet. Preventive medicine specialists in Dubai are waiting to help you.

Visit our blog page to read about many such interesting topics!

To visit Maison Santé or to book an appointment, please click here

******************************