食物過敏和不耐受的差異

What is a food allergy?

A food allergy is an immune system reaction. The condition is caused when the body mistakes an ingredient in food (usually a protein) as harmful and creates a defense system (antibodies) to fight it. An allergic reaction occurs when antibodies fight an "invading" food protein. The most common food allergies are shellfish, tree nuts, fish, eggs, peanuts and milk.

What is a food intolerance?

Food intolerances are digestive system reactions, not immune system reactions. It occurs when something in the food irritates a person's digestive system or when a person is unable to digest or break down food properly. Lactose intolerance, found in milk and other dairy products, is the most common food intolerance.

How common are food allergies and intolerances?

Food allergies affect approximately 1% of adults and 7% of children, although some children have outlived their allergic reactions. Food intolerances are more common. In fact, almost everyone has had an unpleasant reaction to something they ate. Some people have specific food intolerances. Lactose intolerance is the most common specific food intolerance, affecting approximately 10% of Americans.

How to differentiate between food allergies and intolerances?

Food allergies can be triggered by even small amounts of food and can occur every time food is eaten. People with food allergies are generally advised to avoid these problematic foods entirely. Food intolerances, on the other hand, are often dose-related. People with food intolerances may not experience symptoms unless they eat most of the foods or eat them regularly. For example, a person with lactose intolerance may be able to drink milk with coffee or a glass of milk, but will get sick if he or she drinks several glasses of milk. Food allergies and intolerances are also different from food poisoning, which is usually caused by spoiled or contaminated food and affects more than one person eating that food. Your healthcare provider can help determine if you have an allergy or intolerance,

symptoms and causes

What are the symptoms of food allergies?

Symptoms of food allergies range from mild to severe, and the amount of food needed to trigger a reaction varies from person to person. Symptoms of food allergy may include:

  • rash or hives
  • nausea
  • Crampy stomach pain
  • diarrhea
  • itchy skin
  • Shortness of breath
  • chest pain
  • swelling of the airways into the lungs

Anaphylaxis is a very serious and potentially fatal allergic reaction involving a sudden drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness, and collapse of body systems.

What are the symptoms of food intolerance?

Symptoms of food intolerance include:

  • nausea
  • stomachache
  • Gas, cramping, or bloating
  • Vomit
  • Heartburn
  • diarrhea
  • Headache
  • irritable or nervous

What causes food allergies and intolerances?

Food allergies result from sensitivity to compounds in food, even compounds that occur naturally in food. Food allergies are more common in people who have family members with allergies, suggesting that hereditary or hereditary factors may be involved in the development of food allergies.

Food allergies occur when you are exposed to food proteins that your body deems harmful. The first time you eat a food containing protein, your immune system responds by producing specific disease-fighting antibodies called immunoglobulin E or IgE. When you eat that food again, it triggers the release of IgE antibodies and other chemicals, including histamine, in an effort to expel the protein "invaders" from your body. Histamine is a powerful chemical that can affect the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, skin, or cardiovascular system.

Your allergy symptoms depend on where in the body the histamine is released. If it is released in the ears, nose, and throat, you may experience an itchy nose and mouth, or difficulty breathing or swallowing. If histamine is released in the skin, you may develop hives or a rash. If histamine is released in the gastrointestinal tract, you may experience stomach pain, cramps, or diarrhea. Many people experience a variety of symptoms when eating and digesting food.

There are many factors that lead to food intolerances. In some cases—such as lactose intolerance—people lack chemicals called enzymes, which are needed to properly digest certain proteins in food. Intolerances to certain chemical ingredients added to foods to provide color, enhance flavor and prevent bacterial growth are also common. These ingredients include various dyes and MSG, a flavor enhancer.

Substances called sulfites, which may occur naturally - as in red wine - or may be added to prevent mold growth and are the cause of intolerance in some people. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has banned the use of sulfate sprays to preserve fruits and vegetables, but sulfates still occur naturally in some foods. Salicylates are a group of phytochemicals naturally found in many fruits, vegetables, nuts, coffee, juices, beer and wine. Aspirin is also a compound in the salicylate family. Foods containing salicylates may trigger symptoms in people who are sensitive to aspirin. Of course, any food eaten in excess can cause digestive symptoms.

Diagnosis and testing

How is food intolerance diagnosed?

Most food intolerances are discovered through trial and error to determine which foods or foods cause symptoms. You may be asked to keep a food diary to record what you eat and when you develop symptoms, and then look for common factors. For example, after charting what he ate each day for a month, one man found that he only experienced symptoms on days when he ate cheese. This points the finger to the cheese, which may be the cause of his discomfort.

Another way to identify problem foods is an elimination diet. You start by completely eliminating any suspect foods from your diet until you are symptom-free. Then you start reintroducing foods, one at a time. This can help you determine which foods are causing your symptoms. Before starting an elimination diet, seek the advice of your healthcare provider or registered dietitian to ensure your diet provides adequate nutrients.

management and treatment

How are food intolerances treated?

Treatment is based on avoiding or reducing the intake of problem foods and treating symptoms when the problem foods are eaten; for example, taking antacids to treat heartburn or stomach pain.

prevention

Can food intolerance be prevented?

Taking a few simple steps can help you prevent symptoms associated with food intolerances.

  • Understand which foods are causing your symptoms in amounts and limit your intake to what you can handle.
  • When you eat out, ask your server how your meal will be prepared. Certain meals may contain foods you cannot tolerate, which may not be obvious from the description on the menu.
  • Learn to read food labels and check the ingredients of problem foods. Don’t forget to check for condiments and seasonings. They may contain MSG or other additives that may cause symptoms.

Review

All comments are moderated before being published

HealthyPIG Magazine

View all
Transform Your Home with the Philips Smart 1000i Air Purifier: Allergy Relief Meets Smart Living

Transform Your Home with the Philips Smart 1000i Air Purifier: Allergy Relief Meets Smart Living

In today’s fast-paced world, where indoor air quality often goes unnoticed, the Philips Air Purifier Smart 1000i Series offers a breath of fresh ai...
皮質醇管理:如何控制皮質醇?我們能夠自行管理或調節劑量嗎?

皮質醇管理:如何控制皮質醇?我們能夠自行管理或調節劑量嗎?

皮質醇是一種在壓力反應中發揮重要作用的激素,適量的皮質醇可以幫助我們應對壓力和維持健康。然而,過量或長期的高皮質醇水平可能會對身體帶來負面影響。以下我們將探討如何控制和管理皮質醇,包括自然方法、藥物干預、以及測量皮質醇的方式。 1. 自然方法調節皮質醇 壓力管理技術:研究顯示,冥想、深呼吸...
皮質醇是什麼?它如何影響我們的身體與日常生活?

皮質醇是什麼?它如何影響我們的身體與日常生活?

皮質醇(Cortisol)是一種由腎上腺分泌的激素,通常被稱為「壓力荷爾蒙」。它的主要功能是幫助身體應對壓力情境,並且在多種生理過程中扮演重要角色。皮質醇的釋放受腦部下丘腦-垂體-腎上腺軸(HPA軸)控制,這是一個調節人體反應於壓力的系統。 皮質醇對身體的影響 當我們處於壓力下時,皮質...
為什麼我們在緊張時總是忍不住吃零食?科學解密壓力性飲食行為

為什麼我們在緊張時總是忍不住吃零食?科學解密壓力性飲食行為

當人們感到緊張或壓力時,經常會無意識地吃零食,這種行為主要涉及大腦的多巴胺系統、情緒反應以及身體的生理需求。以下是背後的幾個主要原因: 壓力荷爾蒙的影響:壓力會觸發皮質醇的釋放,這種壓力激素會引發人們對高糖和高脂肪食物的渴望。這些食物能帶來短暫的愉悅感,因為它們能刺激大腦分泌多巴胺,讓人感...
光學治療濕疹 - 全面總結

光學治療濕疹 - 全面總結

簡介 光療使用光波來治療某些皮膚問題。皮膚會暴露於紫外線 (UV) 光下一段設定的時間。光療利用人造的紫外線光源,紫外線也來自陽光。當與一種叫做甲氧補骨脂素的藥物一起使用時,這個程序稱為 PUVA 光療。 紫外線光能夠抑制皮膚中的免疫系統細胞,對於因免疫系統過度反應引起的皮膚問題有幫助。可以使...
什麼是「操縱者」?

什麼是「操縱者」?

操縱者,也可以說成「擅用手段的人」,「心機重的人」。操縱者利用欺騙、影響或者其他形式的心理操控來控制或影響他人,以達到自己的目標。他們的行為通常包含使用隱蔽、間接或偷偷摸摸的手法來獲得他們想要的東西,往往是以犧牲他人為代價。以下是一些常見的特徵和手段: 欺騙: 他們可能會說謊或扭曲事實來誤...
什麼是肌肉抽搐?你需要去看醫生嗎?

什麼是肌肉抽搐?你需要去看醫生嗎?

肌肉抽搐,也稱為肌束顫動,是指身體各部分出現不自主的肌肉收縮。以下是肌肉抽搐的原因、症狀及管理方法的詳細介紹: 肌肉抽搐的原因 壓力和焦慮 高水平的壓力和焦慮會導致肌肉緊張和抽搐。身體對壓力的反應會觸發神經系統,導致肌肉不自主地收縮。 疲勞 過度使用或劇烈運動後的肌肉疲勞會導致肌...
蘋果與牙齒健康:保護牙齒的小技巧

Apples and Dental Health: Tips to Protect Your Teeth

Apples are widely loved for their rich nutritional content and refreshing taste. However, apples' acidic and sugary content may also have an impact...
蘋果籽的毒性:它們真的有毒嗎?

Apple Seed Toxicity: Are They Really Poisonous?

Apple seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides, compounds that break down in the body to produce cyanide, which has raised concerns about the toxicity o...