What happens if food intolerance is not treated?

Food intolerance describes difficulty digesting or reacting to a particular food or ingredient; it is different from a food allergy, which can cause a rapid immune reaction. Ongoing bloating, loose stools, cramps or nausea can interfere with meals, work and sleep. Avoiding many foods without a clear plan may also remove useful sources of fibre, protein, calcium or other nutrients. Symptoms may have another cause, so a persistent pattern deserves assessment rather than indefinite self-diagnosis.

Keep a short food-and-symptom diary, including portions, timing and bowel changes. A clinician may review the pattern and suggest appropriate Food Intolerance Testing before you remove major food groups. Nutrition Counselling can help you replace a suspected trigger with suitable alternatives and maintain variety. Do not deliberately reintroduce a food if you have had swelling, breathing difficulty or fainting after eating it; seek medical advice about possible allergy instead.

Arrange a clinical review when symptoms persist, recur after meals, cause weight loss, disturb sleep or make it difficult to maintain normal eating. Seek urgent help for trouble breathing, facial or throat swelling, collapse, severe abdominal pain, blood in the stool or signs of dehydration such as very little urine and marked dizziness.

Ask which conditions should be considered, whether testing is appropriate, and how to avoid nutritional gaps while investigating a trigger. Bring your diary and a list of medicines or supplements.