Around 20% of U.S. citizens suffer from food intolerance. Although food allergy symptoms might be similar, the effects on the body differ.
If your body repeatedly negatively reacts to certain foods, there is a big chance that you are allergic or intolerant to that particular food. In order to mitigate these symptoms and avoid upsetting your digestive system, knowing the difference between food allergy symptoms and signs of food intolerance is of immense importance.
The main difference between allergies vs. intolerance is that the latter upsets your gastrointestinal system and can feel frustrating. Still, food allergies can have much more severe consequences, sometimes putting your life in danger.
It is essential to be very aware of food allergy symptoms and do mandatory food allergy testing when they occur. You should not take these symptoms lightly, and the experts at the Allergy and Immunology Center are experienced and ready to help with any potential issues you might be facing when it comes to consuming different foods.
Allergies vs. Intolerance
As mentioned previously, the symptoms of food allergies and food intolerance can be very similar, but the difference is that they affect our bodies in different ways. Food allergies trigger a response from the immune system, while particular issues with the digestive system usually signal food intolerance.
When a person suffers from an allergy to a particular ingredient, food group, and the like, the body’s immune system views an ingredient as a potential threat to the organism’s well-being. Certain food groups are “notorious” when it comes to triggering the body’s response, and they include:
- Fish
- Milk
- Eggs
- Peanuts
- Soy
- Walnuts and cashews
- Shellfish (shrimp, lobster, crabs, etc.)
- Wheat
After consuming food you are allergic to, it takes anywhere from half an hour to two hours for the symptoms to appear. Since our body sees it as a threat, a severe reaction can be triggered, and the consequences can be deadly if you do not get adrenaline or an epinephrine injection. This is called anaphylaxis, characterized by a drop in blood pressure and the closing off of airways, stopping the person from breathing. Other symptoms include:
- Wheezing (making a sound when breathing)
- Swallowing difficulty
- The appearance of a rash or hives
- Swelling in the area of the lips, throat, and tongue
Food intolerance occurs when the body cannot break down certain foods, and this causes the person to have certain reactions such as diarrhea, gases, vomiting, etc. For instance, we can talk about lactose intolerance, where the body does not have enough of the necessary enzyme to break down lactose, which is, in fact, milk sugar. Due to this, people do not feel well after consuming dairy such as milk, yogurt, cheese, and the like.
The signs of food intolerance can be very uncomfortable and tedious, but they are not life-threatening. These signs include:
- Gas
- Bloating
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Pain in the stomach
- Upset stomach
- Diarrhea
Usually, it takes a few hours for the signs of food intolerance to kick in, and they are manageable by different treatments or simple avoidance of the food which triggers such a response.
There is something called food sensitivity, which is very often put under food intolerances, but some experts differentiate the two. Food sensitivity is somewhere between food allergies and food intolerances because it does trigger a response from the immune system, but it is a lot slower than the response caused by an allergy, and the cause is usually connected to imbalances in the digestive system.
The symptoms which are tied to food sensitivity are:
- Itching
- Fatigue
- Brain fog
- Muscle pain
- Joint pain
- Headaches
- Sneezing
- Migraines
- Runny nose
The symptoms might take a few days to appear, and doctors usually connect them to the misbalance between good and bad bacteria in the body.
Regarding the development of food allergies and intolerance to different food groups, there are different opinions on when they start progressing. Some experts say that genetics plays a significant role in this, where children whose parents suffer from food allergies or intolerance have a higher chance of developing them at a certain point in their lives.
As researched, food allergies start developing in early childhood, particularly regarding milk, eggs, soy, and nuts. Intolerance can also develop earlier in life and can worsen as the years go by.
How Do I Know if I Have Food Intolerance or a Food Allergy?
The first step towards a proper diagnosis is to consult your chosen doctor. Although many people suffer from different symptoms, they do not get treatment because they can handle the consequences daily. A problem with this is that the condition can turn into a chronic disease and bring additional issues and complications, which can be mitigated if the symptoms are treated on time.
Below you can find a few methods of discovering whether you have a food allergy or suffer from food intolerance, so you can start working on resolving the issues you are facing.
- Food allergy testing is a very efficient way of identifying your body’s reactions to different allergens. Through a blood sample, the test can show the elevation of allergy antibodies that are produced by your immune system. When it comes to food intolerance, the only test available is the hydrogen breath test which is used to diagnose lactose intolerance. Other food intolerances cannot be tested in this way.
- Keeping a food diary is a way to control your food intake, the development of symptoms, and their exact manifestation. In this way, you can track which foods give you discomfort, meaning that you are potentially intolerant to those foods.
- An elimination diet is another way to help you discover what foods do not sit well with your organism. This diet system is easy to implement because you only have to track what happens when you introduce or eliminate certain foods from your daily meals.
Management of Allergies and Intolerances
After you have discovered the source of your symptoms, it is easier to prevent them in the future using the following techniques:
- Regular and timely food allergy testing in case new allergies develop
- Complete elimination of triggering foods because avoidance is seen as the best possible prevention tactic when it comes to allergies and intolerance to food
- Medication, which helps in cases of food intolerance, is recommended, but you have to consult your chosen doctor first
- If you are aware of your allergies and they are severe, it is recommended to carry an epinephrine injection in case an allergic reaction occurs. Also, you have to educate yourself and the people close to you on how to use the injector in cases of emergency.
Contact Us!
We are aware that food allergies and intolerances can be quite exhausting and nerve-wracking. In order to find the best possible solution to your specific situation, feel free to contact our clinic and schedule an appointment with a specialist who can help you mitigate your condition.