Food Intolerance Symptoms
Food intolerances imply the inability of a person to assimilate certain types of food and this causes various unpleasant symptoms. It is important to differentiate between food intolerance and food allergy since the latter is a very different condition in its causes, manifestations, and severity.
Food allergies are an immune-mediated reaction to proteins in certain foods that cause a severe allergic reaction whereas food intolerance is a functional digestion-based reaction to food. On the other hand, food intolerance may stem from the body’s failure to synthesize enough enzymes to metabolize certain compounds or overstimulation to chemicals found in foods.
Unlike food allergy, which occurs immediately after consuming the food, food intolerance occurs hours or even days after taking the food. This happens even if a small amount of that food is consumed. Although food intolerance is uncomfortable and reduces the quality of life, it is not usually fatal. This is different from an anaphylaxis reaction which can be fast and if not treated on time, it can cause death.
Therefore, the significance of identifying as well as differently interpreting of food intolerance symptoms rests on the aspect of management. In this way, knowing what specific foods cause an intolerance and discovering how these intolerances occur will allow a person to make healthy meals and avoid any foods that can lead to a bad digestive experience and poor nutritional health.
Common Symptoms of Food Intolerance
Digestive Symptoms
1. Bloating
Bloating is among the primary signs of food intolerance. This happens when food that has not been broken down gets to the large intestine where bacteria produce gas from fermentation. For example, in the case of lactose intolerance, the enzyme lactase is absent, and hence, lactose, arriving in the colon, undergoes fermentation and produces gases such as hydrogen and methane leading to the feeling of abdominal distention and discomfort.
2. Stomach Pain or Cramps
Food intolerance is a common cause of stomach pain or cramps because it could result from irritation of the inner lining of the intestinal walls or contractions of the digestive system muscles. This pain is normally found in the lower abdomen and may be related to IBS which can commonly coexist with a certain food intolerance.
3. Gas
Due to improper digestion, there can be increased flatulence. When carbohydrates are not well broken down because of enzyme deficiency, such as fructose intolerance, then such carbohydrates are broken down by colonic bacteria to produce gases. It may contain any or all of the following molecules, including hydrogen, methane, or carbon dioxide, and is the major culprit for discomfort in some people with food intolerance.
4. Diarrhoea
This is a common feature of the so-called food intolerances, which is accompanied by rather frequent defecation with loose or watery feces. It develops when the undigested material lining of the intestines stresses the osmotic effect, pulling water into the large bowel. For example, if fructose or sorbitol (sugar alcohol) is not absorbed, it results in osmotic diarrhoea. In the case of lactose intolerance, the undigested lactose will also cause the enhancement of water content in the intestines, hence diarrhoea.
5. Constipation
Constipation may also be pointing to a food sensitivity, more so gluten sensitivity or casein sensitivity, which is found in dairy products. In such cases narrowed proteins that are poorly tolerated in the gut may cause a delay of transit leading to hard and infrequent bowel movements. Constipation may also be followed by diarrhoea – this phenomenon is also apparent in patients with IBS caused by food products.
6. Nausea
When you have a food intolerance, nausea can be a regular phenomenon that may occur after the consumption of a tolerated food. You can get it from the inflammation of the stomach lining or else from slow stomach motility being unable to handle undigested foods. Histamine intolerance, especially, can cause nausea because histamine affects the gastrointestinal tract.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms
1. Acid Reflux or Heartburn
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition whereby the backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus leads to burning or warmth of the chest, as well as the throat. Some people can eat certain kinds of foods while others cannot because the foods will cause acid reflux. For example, people with lactose intolerance may get heartburn from dairy products because undigested lactose raises the pressure within the stomach, leading to its content being forced back up. Furthermore, the consumption of fatty foods weakens the lower oesophageal sphincter, hence increasing the chances of reflux in individuals who are susceptible.
2. Indigestion
It is simply a burning feeling in the upper abdomen, commonly referred to as indigestion or dyspepsia. This condition may be due to the slow emptying of food out of the stomach and the high production of acid. However, in people with fructose malabsorption, undigested fructose in the stomach causes excessive digestion time and thus contributes to increased incidences of indigestion and bloating.
Non-Digestive Symptoms of Food Intolerance
1. Headaches or Migraines
Other than the most common symptoms of food intolerance, some other symptoms, such as non-digestive ones, can be noticed. Among them, one can find headaches and migraine. Histamine, foods containing tyramine (such as aged cheese), as well as certain additives, including nitrates added to processed meats, are some of the recognized migraine triggers in these patients. Histamine or tyramine gore rush leads to the dilation of blood vessels in the brain, and the onset of a headache or migraine.
2. Fatigue
People with food intolerance experience fatigue after taking foods that trigger their intolerance. This is due to the fact that the energy is shifted to fight inflammation or for improper digestion to take place. Also, the patient may have a deficiency in the absorption of nutrients such as iron, B vitamins, and magnesium that may lead to food intolerance, resulting in chronic fatigue and lethargy.
3. Irritability or Mood Changes
Food intolerances can potentially translate to mood swings, meaning one can become irritable, anxious, or even depressed. Newer studies have established the link between the gut microbiota and the brain and emotions.
4. Skin Reactions
However, allergic reactions on the skin, including rashes, dermatitis, or itching, may occur as a result of certain food sensitivity. These reactions may be due to inflammation or the release of histamine due to intolerance to certain foods.
5. Joint Pain
This is a possibility because people with joint pains can be intolerant to foods like gluten and other products. Consuming gluten for a long time may cause inflammation that can cause pain in the joints, resulting in stiffness.
Common Food Intolerance Triggers
1. Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance is the inability to break down lactose, the sugar found in milk and foods derived from milk. This is one of the most common food intolerances. It occurs due to lactase deficiency, an enzyme that splits lactose into glucose and galactose that can be absorbed into the bloodstream. Lactose, when not digested, becomes fermented in the colon producing gas, bloated abdomen, and diarrhoea.
2. Gluten Sensitivity
Non-celiac gluten sensitivity has been defined as reactions to gluten without inflammation or damage to the intestine or other autoimmune effects as seen in celiac disease. These may include stomach swelling, pain in the stomach, tiredness, and pain in the joints. Celiac disease is primarily treated by eliminating gluten in the diet.
3. Histamine Sensitivity
Histamine intolerance is a condition in which the body cannot metabolize histamine which is present in fermented foods, aged cheese, and wine. This can be due to histamine intolerance, where there is a lack of DAO that helps to metabolize histamine, giving symptoms such as headaches, rashes, and digestive problems.
4. Fructose Malabsorption
Fructose intolerance occurs when the body fails to break it down properly in the small intestines. Fructose is a fruit sugar and is also found in additives. When fructose is not ingested, it undergoes fermentation in the colon and may lead to some symptoms such as stomach bloat, flatulence, and diarrhoea. Reduced fructose consumption has a positive effect on symptom management.
5. Food Additives
Sulfur dioxide in wines and dried fruits, aspartame, and monosodium glutamate. Examples of food are sulfites used in wine and dried fruits, and artificial sweeteners like aspartame and monosodium glutamate (MSG). These reactions include headaches, respiratory problems, and gastrointestinal problems.
How to Diagnose Food Intolerance
Monitoring food intake, symptoms, and symptom onset is especially important in diagnosing food intolerances. By recording the meals one takes daily, there is hardly any way of identifying the relationship between the taken meals and the occurrence and severity of the symptoms.
Elimination Diet
Among various tests, the elimination diet is one of the best ways to identify food allergies. This approach involves the immune system and eliminating foods that are believed to cause the problem for two to six weeks and then slowly adding them back in to look for symptoms. If it causes symptoms to return, then it points to the possibility of food intolerance in question.
Food Diaries
In a food diary, one is required to write down everything consumed as well as any discomfort felt. It aids in drawing out relationships between food intakes and symptoms. Diary should contain information instances of meals, including portion size and time of eating the food, as well as descriptions of symptoms that could be related to a specific food.
Consulting a healthcare provider
Moreover, it is vital to involve a professional in proper diagnosis of food intolerance. Some of the recommendations given to individuals by the healthcare providers include hydrogen breath tests for lactose intolerance or may refer patients to a dietitian in elimination diets. The diagnosis of the food allergy can be through allergy tests like skin pricks test or an IgE blood test, while food intolerance is evaluated through diet history.
Managing Food Intolerance
1. Food Avoidance
The recommendations for the management of food intolerance are quite specific: exclude or reduce the intake of culprit foods. People need to pay attention to what they eat and when they notice that something new is making them feel sick, they need to check the label and avoid it.
2. Substitutions
Substitution of appropriate measures which do not contain such components is another effective substitution to prevent the emergence of an uncomfortable feeling while sticking to a healthy diet. For instance, individuals with lactose intolerance may switch to using lactose-free milk, use almond, oat milk or take lactase enzyme supplements. Those with food sensitivities and especially sensitivity to gluten can prefer the gluten-free grains such as rice, quinoa, or buckwheat.
3. Enzyme Supplements
Actually, enzyme preparations have enhanced capabilities to help in the breakdown of certain kinds of foods. For example, lactase enzyme is used to treat lactose intolerance and allows the intake of dairy products, while alpha-galactosidase is used to treat with the absorption of complex carbohydrates like those in beans and cruciferous vegetables.
When to Seek Medical Advice
In case of symptoms of a food intolerance that are constant or causing significant discomfort, it is necessary to seek the help of a doctor. It is crucial to draw a distinction between food intolerance and food allergy, as well as such conditions as celiac disease or Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Moreover, extended restriction of food groups can have negative effects due to nutrient deficiencies, which is why help from a professional should be sought.
Conclusion
Food intolerance does impact a person’s quality of life, but should be recognized, diagnosed, and managed appropriately. It can be life threatening at times. It is therefore important to know the difference between food intolerances and food allergy so that correct diagnosis and treatment can be carried out. Persons with chronic symptoms should consult a doctor to eliminate other conditions like celiac disease.
FAQs
What happens if you keep eating food you're intolerant to?
If you keep eating food you're intolerant to, you may experience ongoing symptoms like stomach pain, bloating, gas, diarrhoea, or fatigue.
How do you know if you have a food intolerance?
You might have food intolerance if you often feel sick, bloated, or get diarrhoea after eating certain foods. It helps to track your symptoms of a food intolerance and talk to a doctor.
How to heal food intolerance?
Avoid the food for some time, then slowly reintroduce it to see if symptoms improve.
* * Medical Disclaimer - The following information is for educational purposes only. No information provided on this website, including text, graphic, and images, are intended as substitutes for professional medical advice. Please consult with your doctor about specific medical advice pertaining to your condition(s).
