Food Intolerance - Information and Specialists

A food intolerance is a condition in which patients react to certain foods with abdominal pain, bloating, or diarrhea.

The following food intolerances are particularly common:

• Histamine intolerance
• Fructose intolerance
• Lactose intolerance
• Sorbitol intolerance
• Celiac disease (gluten intolerance)

In general, a food intolerance refers to any symptoms that occur after consuming certain foods.

Milk and dairy products can cause intolerances @ Yura Yarema /AdobeStock

Lactose intolerance—an intolerance to milk and dairy products—is particularly common. Affected patients are unable to digest lactose. This is caused by an enzyme deficiency.

The most common symptoms are:

• Bloating
• Abdominal pain
• Feeling of fullness

Although lactose intolerance is not a disease, it can significantly impair the quality of life for those affected.

In contrast, histamine intolerance causes the body to react with symptoms when exposed to elevated levels of the natural substance histamine.

The following symptoms occur with this intolerance:

• Stomach and intestinal discomfort
• Pustules on the skin
• Headaches

Middle-aged women often suffer from histamine intolerance.

People with fructose intolerance cannot tolerate fructose. Fructose is found in all types of fruit, and changing one’s diet poses a challenge for many who are affected.

Beer and sweets also contain fructose.

Symptoms of fructose intolerance:

• Bloating
• Diarrhea
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sweating
• Dizziness
• Seizures

It is not always easy to diagnose a food intolerance based on symptoms alone, as the symptoms can vary widely.

Other symptoms that may indicate a food intolerance include, for example:

• Loss of appetite
• Sudden weight loss
• Belching
• Stomach pain
• Constipation

Even anxiety, joint pain, and breathing difficulties can be associated with a food intolerance.

If you suspect a food intolerance, a specialist should perform various tests to confirm it.

The causes of food intolerance can vary widely. In most cases, it involves a dysfunction of the enzymes responsible for breaking down food. This dysfunction may be present from birth or acquired later in life.

In the case of a food allergy, however, the immune system overreacts to certain substances. Food allergies are particularly common with nuts, milk, fish, and eggs.

The first person to consult if you suspect a food intolerance is an internist.

1. They will first conduct a detailed medical history interview with you and review your medical history.
2. They will then ask you specific questions about your symptoms. You should therefore carefully observe, even before your doctor’s visit, whether your symptoms worsen when you consume certain foods. Keeping a food diary is also often helpful in practice.
3. First, the doctor will listen to your abdomen with a stethoscope to check for bowel sounds.
4. By palpating your abdomen, they can detect an increased accumulation of gas in the abdominal cavity.
5. Experts typically diagnose most food intolerances using the hydrogen breath test (H2 breath test). During the H2 breath test, they measure the hydrogen content in your exhaled breath. In some cases, a blood test is also required to rule out certain diseases.

Once doctors diagnose a food intolerance, there are various treatment options available:

First, those affected must completely eliminate the food that triggers the intolerance from their diet.

This isn’t so easy with lactose intolerance, since milk is found in numerous foods. Alternatively, you can switch to milk substitutes or soy products.

It can be helpful to seek the assistance of a nutritionist and develop a personalized meal plan. Whether you should avoid certain foods entirely or consume them only in limited quantities depends on the severity of the intolerance. You can receive comprehensive advice from your internist.

In the case of a food allergy, on the other hand, medications such as antihistamines and cortisone are often used.

As a patient, there are steps you can take yourself to positively influence the course of the condition. The simplest approach is to avoid the foods in question.

This is particularly important in cases of congenital fructose intolerance. With this condition, you must completely avoid fructose. This applies not only to foods but also to beverages such as sodas and alcohol.

While this is often not difficult to implement in daily life, it does affect the quality of life for those affected.

A congenital intolerance lasts a lifetime. Patients must strictly follow their doctor’s instructions to prevent liver and kidney damage.