Food intolerance is often referred to as food intolerance and is a symptom that affects many people. Food allergy is a form of food intolerance. However, it affects just two percent of adults. In all other patients, food intolerance has non-immunological causes.
Below you will find further information on the causes, symptoms and treatment options as well as specialists for the treatment of food intolerance.
A food intolerance is a food intolerance in which patients react to certain foods with abdominal pain, bloating or diarrhea.
The following food intolerances are particularly common:
Basically, food intolerance refers to all symptoms that occur after eating certain foods.
Milk and dairy products to intolerances @ Yura Yarema /AdobeStock
Lactose intolerance, i.e. an intolerance to milk and dairy products, is particularly common. Affected patients are unable to digest lactose. The reason is an enzyme deficiency.
The most common symptoms are
Although lactose intolerance is not a disease, it can significantly restrict the quality of life of those affected.
With histamine intolerance, on the other hand, the body reacts with symptoms to increased amounts of the natural substance histamine.
The following symptoms occur with this intolerance:
Middle-aged women often suffer from histamine intolerance.
People who suffer from fructose intolerance cannot tolerate fructose. Fructose is found in all types of fruit, and a change in diet is a challenge for many sufferers.
Beer and sweets also contain fructose.
The symptoms of fructose intolerance:
It is not always easy to diagnose a food intolerance based on the symptoms. This is because the symptoms can vary greatly.
Other symptoms that may be associated with a food intolerance are, for example
Even anxiety, joint pain and breathing difficulties can occur in connection with a food intolerance.
If you suspect a food intolerance, a specialist should carry out various tests to confirm it.
The causes of food intolerance can be varied. In most cases, it is a disorder of the enzymes responsible for breaking down food. This disorder can be present from birth or acquired.
In the case of a food allergy, on the other hand, the immune system overreacts to certain substances. Food allergies are particularly common with nuts, milk, fish and eggs.
The first person to contact if a food intolerance is suspected is an internist.
Once doctors have diagnosed a food intolerance, there are various treatment approaches on the agenda:
Firstly, those affected must completely eliminate the food that triggers the intolerance from their diet.
This is not so easy with lactose intolerance, as milk is found in numerous foods. Alternatively, you can switch to milk substitutes or soy products.
It can be helpful to seek the help of a nutritionist and draw up an individual diet plan. Whether you should avoid foods completely or only consume them to a limited extent depends on the degree of intolerance. You can get comprehensive advice from your internist.
Food allergies, on the other hand, are often treated with medication such as antihistamines and cortisone.
As a patient, you can do a lot yourself to positively influence the course of the disease. The simplest way is to avoid the relevant foods.
This is particularly important in the case of congenital fructose intolerance. With this disease, you must completely avoid fructose. This applies not only to food, but also to drinks such as soft drinks and alcohol.
This is often not difficult to implement in everyday life, but the quality of life of those affected suffers.
Congenital intolerance lasts a lifetime. Patients must strictly adhere to the doctor's instructions in order to avoid liver and kidney damage.
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