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Do you feel inconvenient after eating certain type of food? Do you avoid drinking a glass of milk as it makes you feel uncomfortable? Are you always scared of eating those foods that upset your stomach some time in the past? If your answer is yes then you could also be one of those people who are suffering from food intolerance.

Food intolerance occurs when the body is unable to digest a certain type of food. The most common food intolerance is milk, which is poorly digested by about 10% of Americans. Intolerances can be present from birth, or they can manifest later in life. They may be permanent, or they may come and go depending on the day.

Is there a way to see if you suffer from food intolerance? Symptoms vary from person to person, as two people with the same intolerance can experience different symptoms. The common ones include headaches, nausea, abdominal discomfort, fatigue, gas, diarrhea, and sore throat. The symptoms are usually extremely unpleasant and can possibly lead to ill health and long-term suffering on the person's part.

Don not confuse these symptoms with those caused by food allergies. Allergies can cause all of the aforementioned symptoms, plus itching, skin hives, vomiting, swollen lips and throat, and wheezing. These reactions start immediately after the offending food is consumed, and can be serious or even life-threatening. Call for medical help immediately if you suffer these symptoms after eating.

The difference between intolerance and allergy is a small one, and sometimes they are tough to tell apart. You may want to have allergy testing done by an allergist if you are uncertain, to determine which substances you are allergic to and which ones your body simply cannot tolerate. Managing food intolerance starts by ruling out the effects of allergies.

Once you've figured out that you are sensitive to a certain food, how do you go about managing your intolerance? First of all, remove the offending food from your diet. Be sure to avoid hidden ingredients in processed foods that may trigger your intolerance. After you have completely eliminated the food that makes you ill, you will probably feel much better.

If dairy is the food that causes you pain, you may find it difficult to completely remove it from your diet. The good news is that most people who are lactose intolerant can eat some forms of dairy without feeling sick. Try taking a two-week dairy-free period to let your system heal, and then slowly start trying different dairy products. Most people who can't drink milk can still eat hard cheese or yogurts, so you may be able to keep some dairy in your diet.

Are there specific foods or beverages that cause you to feel sick? Many people share these symptoms with you. There is a condition called food intolerance, and millions suffer from it. There are many but the most common ones are abdominal discomfort, headache, fatigues and throat pain. No two people with the same intolerance experience the same symptoms. Food allergy symptoms occur as you are eating the food to which you are allergic. Food allergies can be life threatening, so if you have symptoms of food allergies, you need to seek immediate medical treatment and allergy testing.