While many people know when they are allergic to certain foods, they do not know when they have food intolerance. Food intolerance presents with subtle symptoms that mostly the patient overlooks until it becomes mandatory to see a gastroenterologist. These symptoms are so generalized that the patient cannot connect the dots to food.
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What is food intolerance?
Food intolerance is when the body has a difficult time digesting certain types of food. It is different from a food allergy, in that the symptoms are mild and the immune reaction of the body is not very strong. Food allergies, on the other hand, present immediately after the consumption of certain foods with a strong immune reaction. These symptoms range from hives, itching, pains, throat closing up, failure to thrive etc.
But how to know that you are intolerant to a certain food? Read on to find out 5 signs of food intolerance.
1- Extreme fatigue:
There could be many causes for unexplainable fatigue, but if you are eating right, sleeping right and yet feel fatigued, then food intolerance could be one of them.
The reasoning behind it is simply that the body is unable to utilize the food for energy and results in exhaustion and fatigue. It is important to keep a food diary and notice when the symptoms worsen so that particular food items could be identified and eliminated. This should be followed by an investigation by the top gastroenterologist in Karachi so that food intolerance could be verified, and treated.
2- Feeling bloated:
Bloating occurs when the bacteria in the gut break down the undigested food, thus producing gases that accumulate in the GI tract. Usually, bloating is worsened after consumption of egg, dairy or green leafy vegetables. Again, the key is to pay attention to when this symptom occurs or worsens so a specific food could be narrowed down.
3- Unexplained weight gain:
If you are gaining weight despite exercise and a controlled diet, then food intolerance could be the culprit. Food intolerance can also cause difficulty losing weight. This is due to the body’s response to the undigested food that triggers an inflammatory reaction in the gut. Consequently, this inflammatory reaction causes obesity by inducing insulin resistance.
4- Joint and muscle aches:
Since food intolerance is related to chronic inflammation, it affects not only the gut but the muscles and the bones as well. When you eat food that your body is intolerant to, it triggers inflammation causing mediators throughout the body.
These mediators cause generalized discomfort, as well as muscle and bone pain. The pain can be severe enough in many cases. Pain causing culprits usually include sugary food, dairy, gluten, fried and processed food.
5- Skin breakouts:
Acne, redness and a dull complexion could be the result of food intolerance. If you are having frequent acne breakouts, then backtrack to what you ate that day—it could be something your body can’t tolerate. Most commonly, dairy products are linked to breakouts due to bovine hormones contained in them that can cause the body to react.
If you find that you have one or more of the aforementioned symptoms then get in touch with your doctor to diagnose or rule out a food intolerance disorder. Seek professional help, and book an appointment with a top gastroenterologist in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad through oladoc.com, or call our helpline at 042-3890-0939 for assistance to find the RIGHT Doctor for your concerns.
