Keep Women Healthy

It’s pretty common to have a reaction to a certain food, but in most cases it’s an intolerance rather than a true allergy. Why does it matter? Although they may have similar symptoms, a food allergy can be more serious.

These clues can help you figure out if it is an allergy or intolerance. A doctor can help you know for sure.

Food Allergy:

• Usually comes on suddenly
• Small amount of food can trigger
• Happens every time you eat the food
• Can be life-threatening

Food Intolerance:

• Usually comes on gradually
• May only happen when you eat a lot of the food
• May only happen if you eat the food often
• Is not life-threatening

A food allergy and an intolerance both can cause:

• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting

When a food irritates your stomach or your body can’t properly digest it, that’s an intolerance. You may have these symptoms:

• Gas, cramps, or bloating
• Heartburn
• Headaches
• Irritability or nervousness

A food allergy happens when your immune system mistakes something in food as harmful and attacks it. It can affect your whole body, not just your stomach. Symptoms may include:

• Rash, hives, or itchy skin
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Sudden drop in blood pressure, trouble swallowing or breathing — this is life-threatening. Call 911 immediately.

These triggers cause about 90% of food allergies:

• Peanuts
• Tree nuts (such as walnuts, pecans and almonds)
• Fish
• Shellfish
• Milk
• Eggs
• Soy
• Wheat

The most common food intolerance is lactose intolerance. It happens when people can’t digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy. Another kind of intolerance is being sensitive to sulfites or other food additives. Sulfites can trigger asthma attacks in some people.

What about a gluten allergy? While celiac disease — a long-lasting digestive condition that’s triggered by eating gluten — does involve the immune system, it doesn’t cause life-threatening symptoms.

Your doctor can find out if you have an allergy or intolerance. These things may help:

• Keep a diary of the foods you eat and the symptoms you have.
• Stop eating some foods to help figure out which one is causing symptoms.
• Have allergy tests done.

If you have a food allergy, you’ll need to stop eating the food altogether. If you have a food intolerance, you’ll need to avoid or cut back on that food in your diet. For lactose intolerance, you can look for lactose-free milk or take a lactase enzyme supplement.

http://www.webmd.com/allergies/foods-allergy-intolerance#2