Sometimes we eat our favorite food, maybe shrimp paste or some peanuts, and after a while we get stomach aches and itchiness, right? Although many people call this a ' food allergy ', it is not always a true allergy. Sometimes it can be a condition called Food Intolerance. It is very important to know the difference between the two. Because a Food Allergy is something that can sometimes even be life-threatening. So let's understand the difference between the two today.
What is the biggest difference between these two?
A food allergy and a food intolerance are two different things. Although their symptoms may sometimes be similar, what happens inside the body is completely different. Simply put, a food allergy is a response from our immune system. A food intolerance is a problem with our digestive system.
You can easily understand this difference from this table.
| Characteristic | Food Allergy | Food Intolerance |
|---|---|---|
| The speed at which | Usually occurs immediately. | It usually occurs slowly, after a few hours. |
| Food quantity | It can happen even if you eat a very small amount. | It often occurs when you eat too much. |
| Frequency of occurrence | It occurs every time the food in question is eaten. | Maybe it's just a matter of eating more often. |
| Danger | It can even harm lives. | Although it causes inconvenience, it does not harm life. |
But you can tell the difference by these characteristics.
In both conditions, you may experience some common symptoms, such as stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and bloating . However, there are also some symptoms that are specific to both conditions and clearly distinguish them.
What happens in a food intolerance?
A food intolerance is when your body can't properly digest a food or something in it. It's a problem with your digestive system. You may experience symptoms like:
- Bloating, gas, and stomach cramps
- Heartburn
- Headache
- Irritability and restlessness for no reason
What happens with a food allergy is more serious than that
A food allergy is a different story. Your body's immune system mistakenly identifies a food as an enemy and attacks it. This reaction isn't limited to the stomach, but can affect the entire body.
The most important thing is that some symptoms caused by a food allergy are very dangerous. This is called Anaphylaxis. This is a condition that requires emergency medical treatment.
Specific symptoms seen in a food allergy:
- Skin rashes , hives, and itching.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Chest pain.
- Sudden drop in blood pressure, inability to swallow or shortness of breath .
Warning: If you experience any of the last symptoms listed above, it is a life-threatening emergency. Do not waste time and go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU).
What are the most common food allergies and intolerances?
Although there are many foods that cause food allergies, 90% of allergies are caused by these foods:
- Peanuts
- Other nuts (e.g. cashews, walnuts, almonds)
- Fish
- Seafood (e.g. shrimp, crab, mussels)
- Milk
- Eggs
- Soy
- Wheat
When it comes to food intolerance, the most common one in the world is Lactose Intolerance . It is the inability to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products. In addition, some people may be sensitive to preservatives such as sulfites.
What about Gluten?
Many people talk about gluten allergy. Gluten is a protein found in things like wheat flour. A related condition is Celiac Disease . Although this also involves the immune system, it does not cause an immediate life-threatening reaction (anaphylaxis) like a typical food allergy. It is a long-term digestive system disease.
How do you identify and treat this exactly?
It's hard to decide on your own whether you have an allergy or an intolerance. So the best and safest thing to do is to see your doctor and talk about it. He or she may advise you to do the following:
- Keep a food diary: Write down everything you eat and drink each day, along with any symptoms you experience. This can be a great way to find out which food is causing the problem.
- Stopping certain foods: On the advice of your doctor, you can try stopping suspect foods for a while.
- Allergy testing: If necessary, blood tests or skin tests can be done to confirm whether you actually have an allergy.
If you are diagnosed with a food allergy, you will need to completely avoid eating the food. However, if you have a food intolerance, you may not need to completely avoid the food. Sometimes, reducing the amount you eat will help.
Very important: If you have a severe food allergy, you are at risk of developing anaphylaxis . Talk to your doctor about keeping an epinephrine injection (e.g., EpiPen) with you at all times for emergency use in such cases. If so, you should always carry at least two of these injections with you wherever you go.
How can you prevent symptoms from occurring?
To avoid these inconveniences, you need to be a little careful.
- Know your enemy: Know exactly what foods are causing you problems, and how much of them you eat. So avoid them completely or eat only small amounts that don't cause symptoms.
- Ask when eating out: When ordering food at a restaurant, ask how it's made. If it's not on the menu, you may have added something that you don't like.
- Read labels: Read the ingredients list on every food package you buy from the store (like biscuits, sauces, milk packets). See if it contains anything you are allergic to. Flavorings like MSG can also cause intolerance in some people.
Take-Home Message
- A food allergy is an immune system response. It can be dangerous. A food intolerance is a digestive system problem. It can be uncomfortable but not life-threatening.
- Don't try to decide which of these two you have on your own. Be sure to see your doctor and get advice.
- If you have a severe allergy, always keep an emergency epinephrine injection with you.
- Always be aware of the ingredients when buying food from the store and eating out.
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