Have you ever experienced discomfort after eating a particular food? Or do you know someone who always carries special medication due to a food allergy? Food allergies and food intolerances are often mistaken for one another, but they have distinct differences and effects on health.
What is a Food Allergy?
If you have a food allergy, your body overreacts to a particular food as if it is a threat. This can happen when you ingest even the smallest amount of the food. For some people, an allergy can be triggered by smelling or coming into contact with the food.
When you come into contact with the food, your immune system releases antibodies called immunoglobulin E to neutralize the food allergen. Immunoglobulin antibodies tell your immune system to release chemicals called histamines, which cause many allergy symptoms such as:
Itching
Swelling
Hives
Trouble breathing
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Stomach cramps
Anaphylaxis, which is a severe and life-threatening reaction
What About Food Intolerance?
Food intolerance symptoms are typically related to the gastrointestinal system, unlike allergic reactions. Food intolerance occurs when your body lacks the necessary mechanisms to properly digest certain foods.
One common example is lactose intolerance, which involves difficulty digesting lactose, the main sugar in dairy products. Symptoms can include bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea.
Which Impact Is More Dangerous?
Food allergies and food intolerances can significantly impact a person’s health and life. The severity of these impacts can vary from person to person. Some individuals may only experience mild symptoms, while others may experience severe allergic reactions or significant nutritional deficiencies.
Symptoms of food allergies can range from mild to severe and include skin rashes, hives, swelling, digestive problems, and even anaphylaxis, which is a very serious and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. Anaphylaxis requires immediate medical attention with an injection of epinephrine and can be fatal if not treated quickly. Due to the high potential for harm, food allergies are considered more dangerous than food intolerances.
On the other hand, symptoms of food intolerances tend to be milder and typically manifest as digestive problems such as bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Although food intolerances are generally not life-threatening, they can still cause significant discomfort and reduce the quality of life.
Can Both Be Cured?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for food allergies. You can only prevent symptoms by avoiding the foods that cause the reaction. If you come into contact with a food that causes a mild allergic reaction, you can take antihistamines to reduce the symptoms. Likewise, with food intolerances, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), there is no way to permanently cure food intolerances. However, there are steps you can take to manage the condition and reduce the symptoms of both, such as:
Here are the key steps for managing food intolerances and allergies:
Avoid or limit trigger foods: This is the most important step. Stay away from foods that are known to cause your symptoms.
Read food labels carefully: Check food labels for ingredients that could trigger a reaction, even in small amounts.
Carry emergency medications: Always have emergency medications on hand, such as an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) for severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis). Over-the-counter medications for gas, diarrhea, or upset stomach can also help alleviate symptoms of food intolerance.
Eat smaller meals: Eating smaller, more frequent meals can reduce digestive symptoms associated with food intolerances.
Take digestive enzymes: Consider taking digestive enzyme supplements, like lactase for lactose intolerance, to help digest trigger foods and minimize symptoms.
It is important to note that:
The effectiveness of these management strategies can vary from person to person
Some people may be able to tolerate small amounts of trigger foods without experiencing symptoms
Consult your doctor or dietitian to find the right management plan for you.
It's important to understand the difference between food allergies and food intolerances so that you can determine the right treatment and prevention. Food allergies pose a greater potential for danger due to the risk of anaphylaxis, which can be fatal. On the other hand, food intolerances tend to cause gastrointestinal discomfort without the risk of being fatal. It's essential to prioritize your health by scheduling regular medical check-ups at the K-Lab clinic at least once a year to detect food allergies or food intolerances early and address them promptly. You can contact us at 081381367915.
Sumber Artikel :
Commentaires