Many Adults Don't Know That They Have A Food Intolerance

Do you think you may have a food intolerance? Many people make it to adulthood without realizing they have a food intolerance because they have never connected the symptoms to the cause. The symptoms of food intolerance are also associated with many other health conditions, making it difficult to diagnose food intolerances in adults.

One reason why many people make it to adulthood without being diagnosed with food intolerance is that the symptoms tend to be milder than those experienced with a food allergy. Symptoms rarely include anaphylaxis, life-threatening reactions. Instead, the symptoms are less severe and may occur immediately after consumption of the food or as much as 48 hours later.

Most symptoms of food intolerance affect the digestive system. Common symptoms include stomach discomfort, accompanied by cramping, bloating, diarrhea, gas, or constipation. If you have a food intolerance, it is common for these to be the only symptoms you experience. However, there are also many other symptoms that could be connected to a food intolerance.

Some of the many potential symptoms of this condition include irritability, fatigue, headache, dizziness, and chills. Possible respiratory symptoms include a runny nose, congestion, and asthma-like symptoms. Other symptoms of food intolerance include those affecting the skin, including hives, rashes, or eczema.

While all of these symptoms are associated with food intolerance, they are also possible signs of many other conditions. To determine whether you have a food intolerance, visit your doctor for a blood test. Your doctor may also recommend keeping a food journal or following an elimination diet to determine the cause of your symptoms.

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