Not all of us are fine eating all types of foods. While we exclude some foods due to our personal preferences, some people are compelled to avoid certain foods as they are susceptible to food allergy. This allergy could manifest in the form of any reaction ranging from mild skin rash to severe breathing problems as a consequence of ingesting foods that contain even traces of the allergy causing food. Some of the commonly causing food allergens include milk, peanuts and sea food. However, this is not exhaustive as individuals can develop allergic reaction to any food.
When you are down with any such food allergy, the first course would be to maintain a food log and document the facts about which food acts as a trigger to your allergy. Some kids develop an aversion to milk as they are later found to be lactose intolerant. Finding the causes earlier did take a good amount of time as it was a trial and error method.
But with food tolerance tests easily available, it is very easy to find out the cause of your allergy. The general food allergies include lactose intolerance, gluten sensitivity, irritable bowel syndrome and reactions to food additives.
The following tests will help to diagnose the cause of your food allergy.
1. Lactose Intolerance test
Lactose is present in milk and dairy products. This develops mostly in teens and adults as a result of the body’s inability to digest lactose which is a natural sugar. The insufficiency of the enzyme, lactase leads to lactose intolerance whose symptoms include belly pain, bloating and gas. A blood test which will check for the levels of undigested lactose reveals if a person is lactose intolerant. Such persons find it beneficial to follow a vegan diet, which includes dairy products.
2. Hydrogen Breath test
This is also a test which helps to determine if you are lactose intolerant. To conduct this test, you are asked to drink lactose. As the lactose gets digested, hydrogen is released. The hydrogen breath test measures the amount of hydrogen in your breath after the lactose is digested to check if you are lactose intolerant.
3. Stool Acidity test
A stool test enables to check for any undigested lactose which helps to determine the cause of the food allergy.
4. Intestinal Biopsy
Gluten sensitivity is best determined through intestinal biopsy. Gluten is contained in wheat and wheat products which form a chunk of our diet. Hence gluten sensitivity is very troublesome as you will have to avoid a lot many foods. This test involves taking a sample of the small intestine and checking for damage that is caused as a result of celiac disease which is caused due to gluten intolerance. A gluten free diet will help to ease the symptoms.
5. Blood Tests
A person who is gluten intolerant will have certain antibodies contained in the blood. A blood test reveals the high levels of these antibodies to prove that you are suffer from gluten sensitivity.
You can also follow an elimination diet by avoiding foods which you suspect to trigger an allergic reaction.