Our stomach is meant to become our lifelong friend, but like any friend, the relationship isn’t always smooth. We could encounter various situations that result in stomach issues that leave us feeling nauseous, bloated, in pain or just uncomfortable. Could it be something we ate? Perhaps our food didn’t agree with us or it was spoiled. Maybe it is something more.
For many people, feeling ill after eating is a common occurrence and one they often end up seeing a doctor for. Many people have food allergies or a food intolerance and these conditions are best diagnosed professionally. What is the difference? Let’s take a look:
Here are the differences between food allergies and food intolerance:
Food Allergy
A food allergy is usually a serious condition. It happens when our body reacts negatively against specific ingredients, such as milk, eggs, peanut and others. If our body experiences an allergic reaction, the histamine level in our blood will increase. It starts when allergens come into contact with the gastrointestinal lining and eventually specific substance is absorbed into the bloodstream. In a severe case, our body will experience anaphylactic shock or even, death. Nearly 10 percent of children are proven clinically to have allergic reactions, but symptoms will disappear as they age. Only about 3 percent of adults are known to have a food allergy. Food allergies are usually passed down genetically and you may need to undergo an immunology test to know whether you have a food allergy.
Extracts of foods that are suspected to cause allergic reactions are injected into your skin. If the skin begins to develop a rash, then it’s likely that you have a food allergy. The condition is confirmed if a blood panel shows the significant presence of an antibody, known as immunoglobin F. It means that the body tries to neutralize specific substances from food that are falsely considered a threat.
Food Intolerance
Food intolerance happens when your body can’t digest specific types of foods, such as grains, gluten or dairy products. Some people also can’t eat too much cabbage or beans, because this could result in a gas build-up. If you have a food intolerance, your body needs longer time to digest the food. In general, it’s more likely for people to have food intolerance than food allergies.
Regardless of your condition, it is important to perform proper medical examinations. Make a list of foods that cause symptoms of discomfort. Determine how much time it takes for you to feel discomfort, after eating a type of food. If symptoms appear very quickly, this is a good indication of the severity of your food intolerance or allergy. You should also know how much food it takes to cause allergic reactions. A significant risk factor is if there is someone in your family who already has food allergies.
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