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What are Food Allergies and Intolerance?
Understanding the Different Types of Allergies: A Comprehensive Overview
Food allergies and intolerances are both types of adverse reactions to food, but they are caused by different mechanisms and have different symptoms.
Food allergies occur when the immune system reacts to a specific protein in a food as if it were a harmful invader. The immune system produces antibodies to fight off the protein, which triggers a range of symptoms that can be mild or severe, and can even be life-threatening. Common symptoms of food allergies include hives, itching, swelling, difficulty breathing, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Food intolerance, on the other hand, occurs when the body has difficulty digesting or processing certain foods. This can be due to a lack of a specific enzyme or other digestive problem. Unlike food allergies, food intolerances do not involve the immune system and the symptoms are generally less severe. Common symptoms of food intolerance include bloating, gas, stomach pain, diarrhea, and nausea.
Some common food allergens include peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, fish, eggs, milk, soy, and wheat. Some common food intolerances include lactose intolerance (the inability to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk), gluten intolerance (an inability to digest gluten, a protein found in wheat and other grains), and fructose malabsorption (an inability to digest fructose, a sugar found in many fruits and sweeteners).
If you suspect that you have a food allergy or intolerance, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Allergies types
There are several different types of allergies, including:
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IgE-mediated allergies: These are the most common type of allergy and occur when the immune system overreacts to an allergen by producing an antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE). This type of allergy can cause symptoms such as hives, itching, swelling, and anaphylaxis.
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Non-IgE-mediated allergies: This type of allergy does not involve IgE antibodies and can take longer to develop. It can cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and eczema.
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Mixed IgE and non-IgE allergies: Some people may experience a combination of IgE and non-IgE allergy symptoms.
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Contact allergies: These allergies occur when the skin comes into contact with an allergen and can cause symptoms such as itching, redness, and swelling.
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Food allergies: These allergies occur when the immune system reacts to a protein in a food, causing symptoms such as hives, swelling, and difficulty breathing.
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Drug allergies: These allergies occur when the immune system reacts to a medication, causing symptoms such as hives, rash, and anaphylaxis.
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Insect sting allergies: These allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to an insect sting, causing symptoms such as swelling, itching, and anaphylaxis.
It's important to note that there can be some overlap between these different types of allergies, and some people may experience multiple types of allergies at the same time.
