Not all in the Mind

How often do we hear or read in the media that food intolerance is ‘all in the mind’. This simple but totally false statement causes enormous stress to those that suffer from this debilitating and distressing problem. Given that stress can also contribute to the symptoms of food intolerance this blinkered approach is most definitely less than helpful and in fact can result in those that need help not seeking the advice they need for fear of being labelled a hypochondriac.

Yet when challenged even the most hardened champions of the ‘All in the mind’ school of thought will admit that problems such as migraine, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Coeliac Disease, Eczema and Asthma all exist and in a vast majority of cases are food related or are exacerbated by food.

So what exactly is food intolerance? Basically it is an abnormal reaction to certain foods which can present in a number of ways. Some people will have one symptom such a migraine others will have the misfortune to have irritable bowel syndrome, migraine and skin and or respiratory conditions. Recognising that food is a trigger for a particular set of symptoms is not easy when, unlike food allergy where the symptoms are usually almost immediate, food intolerance symptoms often appear hours later and in some cases up to two or three days later. In fact once diagnosed and given a management plan people often realise that they have been having low grade symptoms most of their lives resulting in a feeling of general ‘unwellness’. Not enough to make them seek medical help but enough to stop them living life to its full and stop them from achieving their potential.

For sufferers of food intolerance the problem is usually that the symptoms get treated rather than the cause, so a sufferer could well be treated with a variety of medications and creams for skin conditions rather than efforts being made to discover the triggers that could be causing the problem.

Undoubtedly stress plays its part in the condition but it is hard to say which comes first the intolerance or the stress and in many cases depression. Anyone who has as a regularly suffered migraine or had their life disrupted by repeatedly having an urgent need for a loo is entitled to become stressed and depressed.

The symptoms of food intolerance are very real and definitely not ‘all in the mind’. If you need help, advice or support with your food intolerance please do not hesitate to get in touch, we have the expertise to help you. Call our Helpline on 01322 619898.