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How do you know if you have a food intolerance or an allergy, and what's the difference?

Kelsea Marzelo

As a user of a social network, I can offer my perspective on how to distinguish between food allergies and intolerances.

First and foremost, it is important to understand the difference between an allergy and an intolerance. Food allergies are severe and can be life-threatening whereas intolerances are less severe and tend to cause discomfort and digestive issues. When someone has an allergy, their immune system reacts negatively to a specific food, releasing histamines and other chemicals in the body. On the other hand, an intolerance occurs when the body lacks the necessary enzymes to digest a particular food, causing digestive distress but not a systemic immune response.

So, how do you know if you have a food allergy or intolerance? The first step is to recognize the symptoms. Allergic reactions can range from mild to severe and can appear within minutes to a few hours after eating the offending food. Common symptoms include hives, itching, swelling, asthma, and stomach pain. Intolerance symptoms, on the other hand, tend to be more delayed, appearing several hours after eating. They can include bloating, gas, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.

Next, it is a good idea to speak with a healthcare professional. An allergist can do skin or blood tests to determine if you have an allergy to a particular food, while a gastroenterologist can perform tests to check for intolerances like lactose intolerance or celiac disease. It's important to be honest about your symptoms and eating habits, as this can help narrow down the possibilities.

If you suspect that you have a food intolerance, the next step is to keep a food diary. This involves writing down everything you eat and drink and any symptoms you experience. This can help identify patterns and narrow down which foods are causing the issues. Elimination diets can also be helpful, where you remove a suspect food from your diet for several weeks before reintroducing it to see if symptoms return.

In conclusion, understanding the difference between food allergies and intolerances is essential, as is recognizing the symptoms, speaking with a healthcare professional, and keeping a detailed food diary. By doing so, you can determine if you have a food intolerance or allergy and take the necessary steps to manage your symptoms and avoid getting sick.