Food Intolerance

The food substances we need to survive can become toxic when your body has food allergies or intolerances. When the body falsely identifies a food as foreign and attacks it, this can cause a wide assortment of health issues. From deadly food allergic reactions to inflammation throughout the body from food intolerance, it is important to know if your body is fighting the food you eat. At Julie Zweig, MD Integrative Sleep & ENT, we work with our patients to identify food intolerance conditions at our clinic in Alpharetta, GA.

Food Allergy vs. Food Intolerance

A food allergy occurs when the body releases antibodies – IgE – when certain foods are consumed. Most people are aware of this serious condition, as there are many people who cannot eat nuts or other foods due to a severe allergy. These reactions occur fast and can be deadly due to the inflammation and swelling that can occur around the airway.

Food intolerance has a different effect than an allergy. It is much milder, but that does not mean it cannot have a serious impact on health. The response to the foods could take a few days to appear, which makes it difficult to recognize what foods are causing your symptoms. Many food intolerances are related to a “leaky gut,” which occurs when the gut allows substances into the bloodstream that should not permeate the gut lining.

Symptoms of Food Intolerance

Food intolerance can cause a wide variety of issues throughout the body. Some are more noticeable – those who have dairy, lactose or gluten intolerances often have quick reactions to these foods, experiencing digestive distress soon after eating them. For others, the inflammation and release of antibodies may not occur for up to 72 hours, but they still experience unwellness due to their reaction. Symptoms can include:

• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Bloating and gas
• Sinus and nasal congestion
• Bowel problems
• Skin rashes or hives

At Julie Zweig, MD Integrative Sleep & ENT, we work with patients to identify food intolerances to improve their overall health and wellness. We also can provide allergy testing to determine if you have allergies to foods or other substances. To schedule a food intolerance consultation, contact our office in Alpharetta, GA.