Food intolerance

Difference between food intolerance and food allergy

In the case of a food intolerance, the amount of food ingested that is poorly tolerated by the body correlates with the severity of the symptoms. if e.g. For example, if a person has no symptoms after eating 2 strawberries, but develops symptoms such as a rash, itching or stomach pain after eating a bowlful of strawberries, then the problem is probably a food intolerance.

Common food intolerances:

• lactose intolerance
• fructose intolerance
• Gluten intolerance (celiac disease)
• alcohol intolerance
• sucrose intolerance
• Histaminintoleranz

A food allergy is an immune reaction of the body to allergy-causing food components. This is an oversensitivity of the body to certain substances that are usually harmless. The amount of food consumed does not matter in this case. Traces of these foods can cause various allergic reactions. Rash, swelling (in the mouth, face and throat), hives, vomiting, severe abdominal cramps, diarrhea, coughing and difficulty breathing are some of the typical symptoms of a food allergy .

In principle, you can develop an allergy to all sorts of foods, but there are some substances to which people are more likely to be allergic than others:

• Milch
• Owner
• Wheat
• Military
• nuts
• Fisch
• pome and stone fruit

Food intolerance symptoms

The following symptoms can occur with food intolerance:

• stomach pain
• gas
• nausea
• Vomit
• Diarrhea
• constipation
• Skin problems (rash, itching)
• exhaustion
• headache

Causes of food intolerance

A food intolerance can have different reasons. One of the most common reasons is the lack of digestive enzymes . Digestive enzymes break down food components so they can be absorbed by the intestines.

A resorption disorder in the intestine , a so-called malabsorption, can also lead to food intolerance. Here, food components can only be absorbed to a limited extent by the intestine.

In the case of lactose intolerance, e.g. B. the enzyme lactase, which splits milk sugar (lactose) into simple sugar molecules. If there is a lack of lactase , milk sugar can no longer be broken down and can no longer be absorbed in the small intestine. Lactose thus reaches the large intestine undigested and is fermented by the intestinal bacteria. This triggers symptoms such as bloating, flatulence, abdominal cramps and diarrhea.

Fructose malabsorption is a resorption disorder . Fructose is absorbed in the small intestine via a specific transport protein. If there is a fructose intolerance, the capacity of this transport protein is limited and the absorbed fructose can only be partially processed in the small intestine. As a result, the large intestine is increasingly flooded with fructose. The bacteria living in the large intestine break down the sugar molecules. This produces fermentation products (fatty acids, gases) that lead to symptoms such as abdominal cramps, flatulence and diarrhea.

Diagnosis of food intolerance

Those affected usually notice that the consumption of certain foods triggers complaints in them and simply remove them from the menu .

In a detailed discussion with the doctor, the possible triggers can be narrowed down depending on the symptoms, the nutritional status and the concomitant diseases. Other specific laboratory tests such as antibody, breath, skin and blood tests may be advised in individual cases.

When to seek help for a food intolerance

If you experience symptoms after eating certain foods, e.g. B. If you have abdominal cramps, nausea, diarrhea or a skin rash , then you should see a doctor.

You can do this yourself if you have a food intolerance

You can keep a food diary in which you record all the food you eat and the symptoms that follow. This is how you can find information about possible incompatibilities. If the symptoms occur after consuming products containing milk (e.g. cheese, milk), then it could be a question of lactose intolerance. In the case of gluten intolerance, the symptoms appear after eating products containing wheat (e.g. bread, beer, pasta).

Treatment options for food intolerance

The best therapy option is to do without the triggers . In the vast majority of cases, the symptoms disappear when the causative foods are no longer eaten. For certain intolerances such. B. in the case of lactose and histamine intolerance, there are already medications in tablet form that replace the missing digestive enzymes and can be administered for occasional use.

This is how Med-Healths can help with food intolerance

How do you know if you have a food intolerance? What foods can you eat if you have an intolerance? How to diagnose a food intolerance? What comorbidities can food intolerances be associated with? How can you prevent a food intolerance? You can discuss these and other questions with a doctor via the Med-Healths video consultation. If necessary, our doctors can also issue you with a referral to an allergist or a prescription.