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Wondering about the effects of food intolerance?
Food intolerance means that your body has difficulty digesting a particular substance, and generally results in pain, discomfort, feelings of illness and occasionally rashes and digestive problems.
Food intolerance shouldn't be confused with allergies which, in extreme cases can cause such an extreme reaction that a sufferer can die from it. Food intolerances don't result in anaphylactic shock, and so they generally aren't life threatening, but they can interrupt your general quality of life, and limit your dietary choices. So what are some common incidents of food intolerance? And how can you deal with this difficult condition?
The incidents of substance sensitivity are on the rise in modern culture. Though the reason for this is far from certain, it is suspected that increased sensitivity to particular dietary staples may be due to increased exposure to environmental antigens such as pollution or pesticides, not to mention the increase in preservatives and colorants in foods. One of the most common forms of this condition is lactose sensitivity, which is the inability to normally digest lactose, which is the sugar found in dairy products. This condition can result in abdominal discomfort, stomach ache, flatulence and diarrhoea. The best way to handle it is to eliminate products that contain lactose. Fortunately, there are lots of dairy alternatives on the market at the moment that don't contain lactose. Look out for Lactaid and soya milk.
Another prevalent sensitivity is wheat, rye, barley or oat sensitivity, otherwise known as Celiac Disease. This is caused by a sensitivity to gluten, which found in most grain products. Celiac disease causes bloating, pain or discomfort and often leads to malnourishment because it prevents nutrients being properly absorbed by the intestine. Again, the only solution is to eliminate foods containing gluten from your diet, and replace them with others.
If you think you might be suffering from this sort of condition, visit your doctor immediately. Your doctor will run a series of tests that generally consist of removing certain items from your daily diet to determine if your symptoms disappear, and then reintroducing them to see if the symptoms reappear. Once you have determined whether you suffer from a sensitivity, you can begin to adjust your diet so that you can lead a life free of discomfort.
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