Food Allergies Vs. Food Intolerance

By Author: Gjorevski Saso
Total Articles: 3
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In some cases people become sick from consuming a certain food, basically because they are not able to adequately process or digest the food, or because they have a true allergic (immune) response to the food product. Food allergies and food intolerance are in some cases confused with each other, but they are very different in cases of their origin, symptoms and therapy.

Food Allergies

True allergic reactions to food involve the body's system of immunity. When the body identifies a food as harmful, it produces antibodies directed against that food. The other time the food is consumed, the body system mounts an defense response with the release of histamine as well as other chemical compounds that activate allergic symptoms. Typical example of a food allergy is to peanuts.

With a food allergy, indications can occur almost immediately or up to hours after ingesting the particular food. These warning signs may affect the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, or the skin.

Food allergy symptoms can include:

* skin rash or hives,
* swelling of the tongue and ...
... throat,
* breathing problems including asthma,
* vomiting or diarrhea, and
* stomach pain and cramping.

Severe allergic reactions may cause a drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness, or even death.

There are no medications that can cure food allergies. Careful avoiding the offending food is the only surely way to prevent a reaction. Those with food allergies need to carefully inspect food labeling and ask questions about the compounds of dishes. For example, the label on a breakfast cereal may read: \"May include soy, peanuts and/or other tree nuts.\"

Severe life-threatening allergic reactions might be treated with the prescription drug epinephrine. This drug is obtainable as a pen-style injector.

Food Intolerance

Food intolerance is not the same as food allergy in that it does not contain an immunologic response. Typical type of food intolerance is lactose intolerance. People having lactose intolerance lack an enzyme (called lactose) needed to digest the milk sugar (called lactose). They can develop gas, bloating, and abdominal pain once they consume milk products.

Some kinds of food intolerance might possibly be treated. For instance, lactose pills are available without a prescript to aid those with severe symptoms of lactose intolerance and lactose-free dairy products are available at most supermarkets.
If a person thinks they may have either food allergy or food intolerance, keep a diary of the foods consumed and the symptoms experienced. A food record can help the doctor set up the correct diagnosis. A doctor can also order simple skin analysis or blood tests to see if a person is allergic to specific foods. The tactic of dealing with a food allergy is different than dealing with food intolerance.