Food Intolerance in Children
- by WONDERMOM
- Nov. 8, 2022
Identifying food intolerances in children may be challenging unless you know what to look for. Undiagnosed food intolerance might lead some children to endure unnecessary suffering. The good news is that if your kid reduces or quits consuming the foods that irritate them, they will no longer experience pain.
WHAT is the definition of food intolerance?
If the food you consume generates an adverse response. This is an intolerance to food. There are many potential causes for a response. Either a component in the meal is irritating to your system, or your body struggles to properly digest the food. Some individuals can tolerate a tiny quantity of the food they are intolerant to. It is essential to remember that a food intolerance is distinct from a food allergy. Allergic reactions involve the immune system and are often more severe than intolerances.
SYMPTOMS
Among the symptoms to look out for are:
Bloating
Diarrhoea
Backaches
Oral ulcers
Abdominal cramps and pain Intriguingly, there is often a delay in the start of signs of food intolerance. Children may exhibit symptoms up to two days after consuming intolerant foods. Consult your physician if you feel your kid has a food intolerance or if they exhibit symptoms for which you cannot determine the cause.
UNIVERSAL FOOD INTOLERANCES
The following are the most prevalent food intolerances, which affect both children and adults:
Lactose intolerance
Lactose is a sugar present naturally in milk and milk products, and lactose intolerance is the inability to digest it. This disorder often runs in families
Symptoms are unique to each individual, however include: flatulence, diarrhea, bloating, abdominal discomfort, and nausea
Lactose intolerance is incurable, however dietary adjustments might alleviate its symptoms.
Wheat or gluten intolerance
Gluten sensitivity is referred to as celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that damages the lining of the small intestine and impairs the body’s capacity to absorb nutrients.
Your youngster may suffer from an intolerance instead of an allergy. This is referred to as non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
Brain fog, fatigue, despair and anxiety, bloating, nausea, gas, stomach discomfort, rashes, and constipation or diarrhea are some of the symptoms.
Food additive hypersensitivity
Food additive sensitivity mostly affects skin, digestion, and respiration
Skin responses include urticaria, angioedema, atopic dermatitis, perspiration, itchiness, and flushing.
Digestive responses manifest themselves as stomach discomfort, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea.
Fructose intolerance
Fructose intolerance occurs when the body lacks the protein or enzyme required to break down fructose.
This implies that your body is unable to absorb the fructose present in fruits, fruit juices, some vegetables, and honey.
DIAGNOSING FOOD INTOLERANCES
Elimination diets are the optimal method for diagnosing food intolerances. This entails eliminating potentially intolerable items from your child’s diet over a period of time, often several weeks. After this interval, you gradually reintroduce meals one by one to determine which item is the culprit.
In circumstances when lactose intolerance is suspected, physicians may provide a breath test. This test measures the quantity of hydrogen in the child’s exhaled air. Children with lactose intolerance will have greater hydrogen levels in their breath.