Understanding the distinction between food intolerances and food allergies is the key to good health and the avoidance of unnecessary discomfort or even serious reaction. Alas, in many cases, they have been asked to be used as synonyms; in reality, they are totally different entities with distinguishable bodily responses that require very different methods of diagnosis or treatment.
What Is a Food Allergy?
Food allergy is the reaction of the body’s immune system to other allergens when they mistakenly view a certain type of food as harmful. Even a miniscule level of the allergen can cause the victim to swell or have hives, may have difficulty in breath, and the rarest form leads to anaphylaxis-anaphylactic shock. Common allergens include peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, milk, eggs, and wheat. These reactions can be fatal and require immediate medical help and subsequent avoidance of the trigger food.
What Is Food Intolerance?
The body reacting without the involvement of the immune system can be termed as a food intolerance. This suggests usually that the body is unable to digest a particular ingredient, such as lactose or gluten. These symptoms are less serious than those caused by allergies but nonetheless adversely affect one’s life: bloating, stomach pain, headaches, or tiredness. The degree of severity depends on how much has been consumed. The sufferers of food intolerance can tolerate a certain quantity without any much reaction.
Diagnosis and Management
An allergy is best diagnosed through skin prick tests, blood tests, or food challenges under medical supervision. In contrast, food intolerances are most commonly diagnosed by elimination diets and symptom tracking. Managing allergies involves complete avoidance and often carrying medications such as epinephrine for emergency use. Intolerances, meanwhile, can usually be managed by simply cutting back on whatever causes the reaction or through enzyme supplements.
Conclusion
In the essence of safety and comfort, it is important always to differentiate between a food allergy and intolerance. If you consider yourself to have either, it would be wise to seek the help of a healthcare professional for testing and advice.