What
is the difference between allergies and food intolerance? It
seems that the food, which we eat sometimes, contains hidden dangers.When analysing statistics collected by the Higher Institute of Health and
other research agencies, one finds that 20% of the population has problems due
to food intolerance to more than one food type consumed on a regular basis.The situation has worsened in the past couple of years, due to the
manipulation food is undergoing when being produced and consumed.A clear distinction needs to be made between the terms allergies,
pseudo-allergies
and intolerance.In the case of allergies, the symptomlogy is more acute and occurs
suddenly without warning; these vary according to the age.In the breast-fed child
the gastro-intestinal system is mainly affected; in the child,
it is the skin and successively the respiratory system whilst in the adult
various symptoms can result.These
vary from skin rushes to respiratory problems sometimes even resulting in
serious anaphylactic shock.With intolerance although similar symptoms can be
observed, they are milder and can occur even after 24 hours from the ingestion
of the “offending” food.Even
intolerance, like allergies can be accompanied by anxiety states and feelings of
constant fatigue.
Differences
in the appearance of symptoms It is
important to note that one does not become allergic but is born that way.There can be a genetic predisposition towards this illness that can
manifest itself in different ways, forms and also varying from individual to
individual; baby, adult, and elderly.One has to note that if in a family one of its members is allergic, a
high probability exists that even the descendents will be affected.
Diagnosis
and Cure One can
definitely improve the situation with corrective therapy and one can even
overcome this problem.This however
takes long and the patient needs to collaborate. Only in infants and children
does the condition worsen spontaneously such as in puberty.It is always useful to undergo specific tests.Diagnosis of allergies is very complex and requires a comprehensive
collection of the patient’s case history, an intensive and accurate medical
visit and skin test (the best are those which make use of fresh food).If one wants to confirm further the results one can refer to RAST.This is a test that helps to identify the presence of immunoglobine E (substances
produced by the immune system as a reaction of intolerance) towards a particular
food. Subsequently, if the clinical history indicates particular food
intolerance, reaction tests can be carried out.These require the controlled ingestion of the dangerous substance.The best therapy consists of avoiding eating the substance causing the
allergy once it has been identified.The
foods one has to look out for are: milk, glutens, eggs, flour, Soya, fish and
crustaceans and many more.In this
web site we will deal with milk and gluten allergies.One also has to be on the look out for those foods, which in a hidden way
can hide guilty substances.Milk
for example is one of the most difficult substances to identify as it is used in
any industrial manufacturing that can make use of even one component. One
therefore does not find these substances only in cheese, cream or yoghurt but
also in sweets, and food products for infants.The latter, except for ham, salami and bresaola contain milk serum.This
page hopes to provide guidelines to those individual who suffer from allergies
especially milk and gluten.It also
provides links to a number of sites, which range from specialised centres to
recipes so as to be able to supply useful addresses for both residents and
visitors to Rome and its Province.This
site in no way wants to substitute any information provided by a medical
professional.It is essential that
one seek the assistance of a professional doctor to be able to diagnose and
provide the necessary treatment.