Which symptoms indicate a food intolerance?
January 13, 2023 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Sofia Karpinski
Dear Doctor,
My name is Bernd Voigt and I am reaching out to you because I have been struggling with health issues for some time now and suspect that they could be related to my diet. Lately, I have been experiencing frequent stomach pains, bloating, diarrhea, and sometimes nausea after eating. These symptoms occur especially when I consume certain foods, such as dairy products, wheat, or certain types of fruits. I have already kept some food diaries to try and identify possible triggers, but unfortunately without much success.
These symptoms significantly impact my quality of life and make it difficult for me to feel comfortable in my daily routine. I am concerned that it could be a food intolerance and wonder what symptoms typically indicate such an intolerance. Are there specific signs that can help recognize a food intolerance? How can it be diagnosed and are there effective treatment options to alleviate the symptoms?
I would be very grateful if you could help me identify the cause of my health problems and suggest possible solutions. I am willing to undergo further examinations and make changes to my diet if necessary. Your expertise and support would be of great importance to me in order to finally live without discomfort.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Sincerely,
Bernd Voigt
Dear Mr. Voigt,
Thank you for your message and your trust in my expertise. I am sorry to hear that you have been struggling with health issues for some time, which may be related to your diet. The symptoms you described such as abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, and nausea after eating may indeed indicate a food intolerance.
Food intolerances can have various causes, including lactose intolerance, fructose malabsorption, celiac disease (gluten intolerance), or food allergies. Typical symptoms of a food intolerance include abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, skin rashes, headaches, and fatigue. These symptoms can occur immediately after consuming the triggering food or only after a few hours or days.
To diagnose a food intolerance, it is advisable to consult a doctor specializing in nutritional medicine. They can take a detailed medical history, order allergy tests or specific breath tests, and recommend a possible elimination diet. An elimination diet involves completely avoiding potentially triggering foods for a certain period and then gradually reintroducing them to determine which foods the body reacts to.
If a food intolerance is diagnosed, various treatment options can be considered. These include avoiding the triggering food consistently, taking enzyme supplements (e.g. lactase for lactose intolerance), seeking support from a nutritionist, and possibly using special replacement products. It is important to have a specialist guide you through the process of changing your diet to ensure you receive all necessary nutrients.
I strongly recommend scheduling an appointment with a nutritional medicine specialist or gastroenterologist to further investigate your symptoms and receive individualized therapy. It is important to take your symptoms seriously and actively seek solutions to improve your quality of life.
I hope my information is helpful to you and I am available if you have any further questions. I wish you all the best and a speedy recovery from your symptoms.
Best regards,
Sofia Karpinski, Nutritional Medicine Specialist
