Is Your IBS Caused By Food Sensitivity?

Here at Dr. Weight Loss of Atlanta, we develop customized weight management plans for all of our patients. That means that we also develop diet plans that can work around your specific dietary issues, including allergies or disorders like irritable bowel syndrome. This disorder, often abbreviated IBS, affects the large intestine and comes with a wide variety of painful symptoms. People who suffer from this could experience bloating, gas, constipation, cramping, and more.

Sometimes, food sensitivities could be the cause of these types of issues. These aren’t quite the same as food allergies. A food sensitivity is when your body has a hard time tolerating certain types of food. They could form due to the food itself or even due to an additive. It can take longer for symptoms of food insensitivity to show, but when they do it can cause some painful problems.

Symptoms of Food Sensitivity

Many of the symptoms of food sensitivities will remind you of irritable bowel syndrome or food allergies. These usually present a few hours after you eat a certain type of food, and could even take nearly two days to actually show up. From there, they could last for anywhere from a few hours to a few days. That’s why it can be so hard to accurately diagnose a food sensitivity. Here’s a look at what kind of symptoms it can cause and how they can throw off your weight management efforts:

Bloating

Bloating is any kind of gas swelling that isn’t normal. Your abdominal area may feel tight and painful, and you might hear your stomach growling more than usual. This can be extremely debilitating and make it harder to stick to a fitness plan. No one wants to go for a run or hit the gym when they’re dealing with painful bloating.

Irritable Bowel

A food sensitivity could make your bowel irritable, which is why it can seem like another bout of IBS acting up. This could cause you to pass more gas or experience other issues, like diarrhea and constipation. Even a mild case of irritable bowel can be incredibly uncomfortable.

Hives

Here is where food sensitivities can start to differentiate themselves from irritable bowel syndrome. In addition to stomach problems, a food sensitivity can cause you to break out in itchy, irritating hives. This makes it similar to a food allergy, although generally these sensitivities aren’t as serious or potentially life threatening as some allergies can be.

Cough and Runny Nose

On that same note, a food sensitivity can also cause a cough or runny nose. This is another reason why they can go undiscovered for so long. Most people just think that they picked up a bug and don’t realize that their symptoms actually come from a food that they’ve recently eaten.

Migraines and Headaches

A food sensitivity can also cause headaches and painful migraines. These can really affect your motivation to hit the gym or concentrate on your weight management plan.

Food sensitivities can be a big driver of irritable bowel syndrome symptoms, but they also come with some unique problems of their own. Our clinic specializes in helping patients discover dietary habits that are negatively affecting them on a regular basis.  we can help you overcome and avoid food sensitivity issues and focus on your weight loss and fitness goals. Contact us for a free consultation today.