Food Allergies and Food Intolerance-What's the Difference?

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For most people, eating is fun. But, some people think of certain foods as "enemies". Like some people, they have food allergies. The food allergy reaction is called anaphylaxis, a very dangerous condition. However, most food allergies are not too dangerous.

Not long ago, there were reports of increased food allergies and food intolerance. But, some studies show that few people make sure they have a food allergy by going to a doctor.

What are Food Allergies?

"The notion of food allergies is not always the same," according to a group of lead researchers. Jennifer J. Schneider Chafen, whose research is published in The Journal of the American Medical Association. But, most experts believe that an allergic reaction is especially triggered by the immune system.

Allergic reactions to certain foods are generally the reaction to the proteins present in the diet. The immune system mistakenly assumes that proteins are harmful. When certain proteins enter the body, the immune system may release a type of antibody called IgE (immunoglobulin E) that serves to neutralize the substance that is considered dangerous. When allergenic foods are ingested, antibodies that have formed release chemicals, including histamine.

Under normal circumstances, histamine is useful for the immune system. But unknown, the presence of IgE and histamine antibodies, which come out afterward, trigger food allergic reactions in people who are very sensitive to certain food proteins.

That's why, when you eat foods you've never eaten, there's no reaction whatsoever. But lately, while eating the same foods, you experience an allergic reaction.

What Is Food Intolerance?

Like food allergies, food intolerance may be a negative reaction to food. But unlike food allergies (triggered directly by the immune system), food intolerance is a reaction of the digestive system and has nothing to do with antibodies. Generally, this occurs in people who are difficult to digest food, perhaps because of the lack of enzymes or foods containing chemicals that are difficult to digest. For example, lactose intolerance occurs when the digestive system cannot produce enzymes to digest the type of sugar in dairy products.

Read also : Easy Solution for Your Child's Food Allergy

Because it has nothing to do with antibodies, food intolerance can be felt the first time the food is digested. The amount is the deciding factor. If only a little may be resolved, but problems may arise if the amount is digested a lot. This is different from a severe food allergy, just a few fatal consequences.

Milk, eggs, crustaceans, soybeans, fish, peanuts, nuts, and wheat

What are the symptoms?

If you have food allergies, you can have symptoms: itching; swollen red patches; throat, eyes, and swollen tongue; nausea; gag; or diarrhea. And the worst, you can experience a drop in blood pressure, dizziness, fainting, and even a heart attack. Anaphylactic reactions can occur quickly and fatal.

So, any food can cause allergies. But, the worst food allergies are commonly caused by milk, eggs, fish, crustaceans, peanuts, soybeans, nuts, and wheat. Allergies can occur at any age. Research shows that hereditary factors have a big influence, and a child may have an allergy if one of his parents has an allergy. And usually, allergies will disappear as they mature.

Symptoms of food intolerance are generally less visible than most severe allergic reactions. Food allergies may cause abdominal pain, bloating, cramps, headaches, red spots, fatigue, or generally feeling lethargic. Intolerance can be caused by various foods such as dairy products, wheat, gluten, alcohol, and the most common is yeast.

Examination and Treatment

If you feel you have food allergies or intolerances, you may need to see a doctor. Because if you diagnose your own circumstances and decide not to eat certain foods, they can be dangerous. Because accidentally, you may make your body malnourished.

There is no widely accepted treatment for severe food allergies, in addition to avoiding food allergy triggers. Conversely, if your food allergy or food intolerance is not severe, you should reduce how often you eat certain foods and note the amount. But in some situations, the patient is advised to avoid completely certain foods or occasionally, depending on how severe the intolerance is.

So if you have food allergies or food intolerance, you may be comforted to know that many sufferers have learned to cope with their situation and can still enjoy a variety of nutritious and delicious foods.