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- intolerance
- celiac Disease
- Lactose intolerance
- Fructose malabsorption
- Real allergies
- Histamine intolerance
- Incidence of food intolerances in Germany
intolerance
Do you know that? You always have abdominal pain after eating and therefore refrain from milk or wheat? Not always is this abstinence meaningful.
If it comes to the amount of gluten-free products that go every day in Germany on the counter, celiac disease would have to be a veritable folk disease. But she is not. In fact, less than one percent of the population suffers from gluten intolerance. Do all the others only imagine their symptoms - these constant abdominal pain after eating ? Certainly not.
Although some experts speak of a fashion appearance, if one speaks of abdominal pain after eating . On the other hand, it is undisputed that symptoms such as bloated stomach, nausea or cramps are often actually underlying diseases. However, before you rigorously avoid a food, you should wait for a doctor's diagnosis. Finally, stress on the stomach also beats and can be the reason for the constant abdominal pain after eating . Then a special diet would be unnecessary, even harmful.
celiac Disease
For those affected, intolerance to the gluten protein gluten (present in wheat, spelled, rye, barley and oats) leads to chronic inflammation of the small intestine. The villi in the intestinal wall form back, it can not be absorbed enough nutrients.
The diagnosis: Before a change in diet, the blood should be tested for antibodies. After a switch to gluten-free foods, the finding is no longer meaningful. Finally, a small bowel biopsy provides information.
This helps: In a lifelong, strictly gluten-free diet can regenerate the inflamed, damaged small intestinal mucosa.
Lactose intolerance
Milk sugar (lactose) consists of two sugar molecules. The intestine has to split them in order to process them. The required enzyme, the lactase, sits in the small intestine. In case of a lactase deficiency lactose can not be properly digested, it comes to abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea.
The diagnosis: A hydrogen breath test (H2-lactose breath test) in the doctor shows whether the lactase-cleaving enzymes are active enough.
This helps: to completely dispense with dairy products is usually unnecessary. In addition, there is a risk of causing a calcium deficit. Acidic natural yoghurt, sour milk, kefir and aged cheese are often well tolerated. Even lactase supplements (pharmacy) can help.
Fructose malabsorption
If fructose is poorly digested, this is usually due to disruption of the transport molecules. Fructose ends up too deep in the colon and is decomposed by bacteria. This leads to bloating, diarrhea, pain.
Diagnosis: Have a H2-fructose breath test done.
That helps: First, you largely do without fruit and sugar. Then gradually increase the fructose intake to determine your personal tolerance threshold. Permanently you should switch to a light diet.
Real allergies
If it is an immune reaction of the body, even small amounts of the allergen trigger tingling and swelling in the mouth, shortness of breath or rash.
The diagnosis: With a food diary you can often get the trigger on the track. Safety gets the prick test at the dermatologist. It stings small amounts of the allergen into the skin. If a wheal forms, this means: allergy.
This helps: you should consistently avoid foods that you react to. To have an antihistamine in case of emergency.
Histamine intolerance
Some researchers doubt that this disease even exists. Others suspect cause problems with the breakdown of the body's histamine.
Diagnosis: If the symptoms disappear with histamine-poor diet, the doctor can confirm the result with specific provocation. A confirmed diagnosis that excludes other triggers is not.
This helps: Avoid histamine-rich foods, such as salami, red wine, tomatoes, preserved fish, chocolate and nuts.
Incidence of food intolerances in Germany
about 0.5% celiac disease about 1% non-allergic hypersensitivity 2-3% food allergies 15% lactose intolerance 30% fructose malabsorption
Do you have abdominal pain after eating ? There does not always have to be a food intolerance. Maybe the cecum or groin are also guilty.
