Are you suffering from a food allergy or food intolerance?
There are two main types of reaction to food: immediate, or delayed. An immediate reaction happens when a person often reacts quickly and violently to a food or substance. In delayed response, the allergic reaction occurs a few hours or even days after eating the food. In extreme cases, foods and substances can cause an anaphylactic shock, which is a particularly severe and potentially life-threatening version of the reactions above.
Allergy or Intolerance?
Food allergies and intolerances have similar symptoms, but differ in their causes. Allergies are an immune system reaction to certain foods, while intolerances are related to digestive issues. Stress can trigger intolerance, which is not usually life-threatening. Food intolerances have been linked to:
- Multiple sclerosis
- Type 1 diabetes
- Alcoholism
Laboratory Tests
Emma uses various blood tests to determine food and environmental allergies, and food intolerances. By either eliminating the culprit food/foods, or eating them only occasionally, symptoms should reduce or disappear.
A range of laboratory tests from Regenerus, Invivo and Genova Diagnostics can be used to analyse blood, saliva, urine or stool samples.
You can find out more about laboratory tests here.