What is a Food Intolerance?
A food intolerance is a reaction in your digestive system to certain foods which can leave you feeling uncomfortable. Some common symptoms of a food intolerance includes but is not limited to digestive issues, headaches, migraines, and skin problems.
Notably, a family history of allergy or intolerances can also make it more likely that a person will suffer from food intolerances. However, there is often a trigger which means that a person can react adversely to a food that previously gave no problems. an examples of these triggers are:
- Hormonal changes - e.g. puberty, pregnancy, starting or stopping breastfeeding, starting or stopping the contraceptive pill, menopause, starting or stopping HRT.
- A virus or tummy bug.
- A course of antibiotics or a new medication can act as a trigger for food intolerance to start or for the symptoms to be exacerbated.
- After an operation.
- A prolonged period of stress can also be a trigger. This stress could be related to work, relationships or a bereavement for example.