Food intolerance is very common. It’s not the same as being allergic to food which can be dangerous. A food intolerance can be painful and uncomfortable, but it is not life-threatening.
The most common food intolerances are intolerance to lactose or gluten. But people can also be intolerant to fish, fructose (the sugar that is found in fruit) peanuts and eggs.
Lactose is a sugar. It is found in dairy products like yoghurt, cheese, and milk. You can also find it in ice cream, butter, and cream. Lactose is also found in many processed foods such as salad dressings, sauces, cereals, biscuits, cakes, pastries, and bread.
If you are lactose intolerant, then you should look for milk products on food labels such as:
These products are contained in foods like:
There are also some vegetables, meats, fish, fruits, and puddings that you may want to avoid. For a complete list, you can download and print Allergy UK’s quick guide to lactose intolerance.
You might find after eating or drinking something containing lactose that you:
Other symptoms include eczema on your skin, a headache, joint pain or finding it difficult to concentrate because you feel tired.
Better known as a wheat intolerance. The symptoms are very similar to people who have coeliac disease. Wheat intolerance doesn’t have anything to do with the immune system (like coeliac disease). Instead, it affects the large intestine caused by a type of fermentable carbohydrate (fructans) that is found in wheat, rye and barley.
What are the symptoms of wheat intolerance?
The symptoms are:
If you have these symptoms and your doctor thinks you may have a wheat intolerance you might be treated for Irritable Bowel Syndrome which is similar to gluten intolerance and is caused by oversensitive nerves in your gut.
If you have a lactose intolerance you may be able to buy lactase supplements from your pharmacy. The tablets help to break down any lactose in your system and therefore reduce the symptoms. You should also talk to your pharmacy about Vitamin D and Calcium as cutting out dairy products from your diet could leave you lacking in some vitamins and minerals.
Those people with a gluten intolerance may take Gluaytic gluten intolerance tablets which will help digestion, although they don’t cure a gluten intolerance.
Coeliac disease isn’t an intolerance. It is an autoimmune disease. When you eat gluten, your immune system attacks your tissues and damages your small intestine. If you have coeliac disease, you will have stomach problems that are similar to lactose or gluten intolerance. But you could also have a range of other conditions such as unexplained anaemia, IBS, tiredness, and weight loss.
If you are diagnosed with Coeliac disease, you will get a prescription from your GP for gluten-free products which you can pick up from your pharmacy. You may also need to take extra vitamins and iron tablets.
Here at VSM Pharmacy, we can give you advice about the treatments you may need if you have been diagnosed with a gastrointestinal problem.
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