Food allergy or food intolerance?

How to tell the difference

Do you develop stomach cramps or even diarrhea whenever you drink a glass of milk? Are you bloated and gassy whenever you eat anything containing corn? If so, you may assume that you have a food allergy. This is certainly possible, as food allergies can include these symptoms.

However, it's also possible that you're suffering from a different condition called a food intolerance, which, while much less severe than a true food allergy, can still cause a fair amount of distress and embarrassment.

But what is the difference between the two?

First of all, where a food allergy involves the immune system, which produces inflammatory chemicals (and symptoms) whenever an allergenic protein enters the body, a food intolerance is not immunological in nature. The more potentially dangerous symptoms including swelling and difficulty breathing are not generally present with food intolerances.

If your lips swell or you begin to wheeze whenever you bite into that piece of cheese, stop eating the food in question, and see your doctor as soon as possible. It may be a true food allergy.

If your symptoms are limited to gassiness and bloating, it's nevertheless important to see a doctor to rule out possible allergy, but also be sure to ask about potential food intolerances and their treatment. There are tests that can be performed to measure the body's responses to various sugars such as lactose, found in milk. In individuals with food intolerances to dairy, for example, the consumption of lactose can trigger the production of gasses that make one's tummy, well, rather uncomfortable, to say the least. Other types of intolerance are possible as well, including fructose intolerance. Gluten intolerance, or celiac disease, involves a very different process. While it is not an allergy, it can be very serious, and requires proper diagnosis and treatment.

Fortunately for the approximately 10% of the population suffering from lactose intolerance, there are digestive enzymes -- as well as milk containing this enzyme, called lactase -- that can ease the bloating and make it possible to drink that glass of milk or eat that ice cream sundae.

Unfortunately for allergy sufferers, however, the only safe treatment for an immunological food allergy is avoidance of the food in question and being sure to carry rescue medication such as an epinephrine injector if prescribed by a physician. The dairy allergic must, sadly, put that ice cream on hold until a real cure is found. In the meantime, there are some tasty alternatives out there. Soy ice dessert, anyone?

© 2009 Allergytimes.com. All rights reserved. This article is provided for general informational purposes only, and is not intended to replace medical advice. When in doubt, please consult with a licensed allergist.