For many people, the occasional sour stomach is no real cause for concern. It is likely the result of a case of the “nerves” or having eaten something past its expiration date. However, if your body is regularly experiencing strange symptoms that you believe may be triggered by certain foods or drinks, then you may have a food intolerance.
What is a Food Intolerance?
According to AAAAI (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology) food intolerances, also referred to as food sensitivities, occurs when you have difficulties digesting a specific food. When this happens, you may experience a number of symptoms, including diarrhea, abdominal pain, and intestinal gas.
Food Intolerance vs. Food Allergy
Prior to getting into the details of food intolerances, it is important you understand that food intolerances and food allergies are different. An intolerance involves your digestive system, and an allergy involves the immune system. This means if you are intolerant to a certain food, you have a hard time digesting it; however, if you are allergic to a food you may suffer a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis.
Now it is time to get to know the symptoms you may have a food intolerance. Three of the most common are found here.
You Constantly Have to Rush to the Bathroom
Do you have to plan out your day based on the quality and accessibility of the bathrooms? Have you ever skipped an outing with your friends because you know the restaurant they are visiting doesn’t have the right type of bathroom? Once you reach the bathroom while out and about, do you experience diarrhea or gas, among other stomach-related issues? If so, then you may be suffering from a food intolerance. Why? Because diarrhea and gas are the main symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) which flairs up when certain foods are consumed.
You Experience Regular Skin Rashes
In many situations, when you think about a rash caused by a food, you immediately associate it with a food allergy. However, certain rashes also apply to food intolerances, particularly a gluten intolerance. If you suffer from a food intolerance, you are likely going to experience dermatitis herpetiformis or DH for short. This causes itching on the buttocks, back, scalp, knees, and elbows. It is particularly common in individuals who have tested positive for a gluten intolerance or celiac disease.
You Often Experience Unbearable Stomach Cramps
If you suffer from a food allergy, chances are the symptoms are going to show up right away. However, if you eat or drink something in large quantities or frequently, you may begin to experience issues over time. In some cases, a food intolerance is dose related. This means if you notice your stomach cramps up a few hours after you eat, it may mean the food you consumed is not digesting properly in your body. For some people, fructose, which is a sugar found naturally in honey and fruits, is one of the main culprits in this type of bloating and cramping.
If you have experienced any of the above issues, then the first step is to try and determine what foods are causing the issue. Keeping a food diary and taking notes on when your symptoms flare can be helpful in narrowing down the cause. Then, as with any type of medical condition, you should seek help from your doctor, even if you aren’t completely certain you suffer a food intolerance.
If you are ready to make a change to live a healthier and happier life, but need a bit of guidance, schedule an appointment with Premier Health and Wellness today. Our staff can help you make meaningful changes to help you achieve better health. To get started right away click here or call 512-596-1717.
