With a food intolerance, you may experience uneasiness after eating certain foods. Food intolerance mainly causes symptoms, such as bloating, gas, and diarrhea. However, determining which food is causing the symptoms can be very difficult, and that is one of the main reasons why you should get a food intolerance test.  

What is food intolerance?

Food intolerance, or food sensitivity, is a condition that occurs when your digestive system reacts badly to certain foods. If you have food intolerance, that means your digestive system is having difficulties breaking down certain food items. When you eat foods that you are sensitive to, you may experience discomforting symptoms, including abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and bloating.

Is there any difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance?         

Food intolerance and food allergy are both different conditions. The differences are explained below.

• Food intolerance is a condition that affects your digestive system. While food allergies impact your immune system.

• Food intolerance occurs when your digestive system fails to break down certain foods. On the other hand, a food allergy occurs when your immune system reacts to a protein or substance by mistaking it as a threat. 

• Food allergies can become life-threatening as they cause symptoms like hives, swelling, and shortness of breath. While food intolerance is not life-threatening. 

• Food intolerance causes symptoms within a few hours after eating the food. On the other hand, allergic reactions may appear instantly after consuming the food. 

• You may experience an allergic reaction even if you consume a small amount of food. However, food intolerance symptoms may not appear if you consume a very small amount of the food. 

What are the types of food intolerances?

There are various types of food sensitivities, and the common types include:

• Lactose intolerance: Lactose is a type of glucose or sugar that is found in dairy products. If you are lactose intolerant, then it means that your body doesn't produce enough of the lactase enzyme to break down lactose. 

• Gluten intolerance: Gluten is a protein present in wheat, barley, and rye. If you are gluten intolerant, then it means your digestive system is having difficulties digesting gluten. However, gluten intolerance and Celiac disease are different conditions. Gluten sensitivity is also known as non-celiac gluten sensitivity. 

• Histamine intolerance: Histamine is a naturally occurring chemical that can be found in various foods, including bananas, pineapple, avocados, cheese, chocolate, red wine, and white wine. 

When should you get a food intolerance test?

You should go for a food intolerance test if you are experiencing food intolerance symptoms or if you have certain risk factors for food sensitivity. Risk factors for food intolerance include:

• Family history of food intolerance

• Asthma

• Food allergy 

You should immediately go for the test if you are experiencing abdominal pain, skin rashes, or shortness of breath. You can go for the thyrocare aarogyam packages, as these packages contain a number of tests that will help diagnose various health conditions.