V体育官网入口 - Symptoms and Causes
"V体育平台登录" What causes food intolerance?
People with food intolerances often don’t make enough of a particular enzyme that the digestive system needs to break down a certain food or ingredient. Experts aren’t sure why some people develop food intolerances VSports最新版本.
Certain gastrointestinal conditions may make you more prone to food sensitivities V体育平台登录. These conditions include:.
- Celiac disease.
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
V体育安卓版 - What are the symptoms of a food intolerance?
Symptoms of a food intolerance include:
Diagnosis and Tests
How is a food intolerance diagnosed?
A hydrogen breath test can detect lactose intolerance VSports注册入口. During this test, you drink a liquid that has lactose. Then you breathe into a balloon-like container every 30 minutes for a few hours. If you’re lactose intolerant, the undigested lactose will cause high levels of hydrogen in your breath. You may also develop symptoms from drinking the lactose solution.
There isn’t a test for gluten sensitivity or histamine intolerance V体育官网入口. An allergy test can detect food allergies but not a food intolerance. Your healthcare provider may ask you to keep a food diary to track meals and symptoms.
You may also try an elimination diet to remove certain foods from your diet for two to six weeks VSports在线直播. If symptoms go away during this time — and then return when you start eating the food again — you may have a food intolerance.
Management and Treatment
How is a food intolerance managed or treated?
You may need to change your diet to limit or eliminate problem foods. Many people with food intolerances find that consuming small amounts of food causes few symptoms if any. When symptoms occur, over-the-counter medicines like antacids or antidiarrheals can help.
People who are lactose intolerant can consume lactose-free milk and dairy products. You can also buy lactase enzymes at drugstores. You can take lactase pills before consuming dairy products or add lactase drops directly to milk to break down the lactose.
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What are the complications of food intolerance?
People who are lactose intolerant may not get enough calcium and vitamin D if they completely cut out dairy products. You can take supplements or use over-the-counter lactase enzymes to consume dairy products without getting an upset stomach.
People who cut back on products with gluten may need to eat more fresh vegetables, fruit and gluten-free whole grains to make sure they get enough fiber and other nutrients such as B vitamins in their diets, which are important for health.
Outlook / Prognosis
What is the prognosis (outlook) for people who have a food intolerance?
Food intolerances tend to be lifelong. Most people can manage symptoms if they reduce or cut out foods that cause digestive problems. Food intolerance may be an inconvenience (and the symptoms unpleasant), but it isn’t a life-threatening problem like a food allergy.
Living With
When should I call the doctor?
You should call your healthcare provider if you experience:
- Extreme abdominal pain or diarrhea.
- Severe reaction to a food.
- Unexplained weight loss.
What questions should I ask my doctor?
You may want to ask your healthcare provider:
- What type of food intolerance do I have?
- What foods or ingredients should I avoid?
- Am I at risk for other problems?
- Should I look out for signs of complications?
A note from Cleveland Clinic
A food intolerance can cause stomach upset and other digestive problems after you consume certain foods or drinks. Having a food intolerance isn’t the same as having a food allergy. Food allergies cause an immune system response that can be life-threatening. Most people with food intolerances can have small amounts of those foods without distressing symptoms. A food diary and elimination diet can help determine if you have a food intolerance.
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Last reviewed on 08/11/2021.
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