Many of the patients I treat have a number of strange and vague symptoms that can often be related or somehow connected to a food or meal they generally eat. To distinguish the problem food or foods can sometimes be quite difficult – for reasons mentioned below.
Over the years in practice I have had to frequently clarify the general misunderstanding of the difference between food allergy and food intolerance. ‘Food intolerance’ or non-allergic hypersensitivity is a body’s response after consuming certain foods. Symptoms are varied and can appear within a few hours or even days after eating the problem food. This makes it difficult for the healthcare professional and the patient to identify the food or foods responsible for the symptoms. Symptoms can include but are not limited to bloating, diarrhoea, irritable bowel syndrome, headache, rashes etc.
An allergy to a food is something completely different and people generally know without a doubt they are allergic to a particular food. Symptoms will usually occur rapidly after consuming the problem food, these symptoms may include an itchy rash on the skin, welts, itching in the throat or ears and possibly a reaction as severe as an anaphylactic attack which is a medical emergency from which the person can die.
Often when consulting with patients I suggest they avoid certain foods or food groups that may be affecting their health negatively. While this approach does work, it can be daunting for anyone to cut out a large number of foods from their diet they are so used to eating.
Doing a food intolerance test assists by removing the guesswork out of the process. IGG specific tests which test intolerance, have become more readily available and reliable in the last few years. IgE tests are what test for allergies.
We have a few tests available to do this testing should you require or desire it to be done.
If you would like these tests done, please come through for a visit and we can decide on the best available option and type of test for your needs.