Does drinking a glass of milk cause you stomach to hurt? Have you eaten something, and later felt nauseous? Are there specific foods or beverages that cause you to feel sick? Many people share these symptoms with you. There is a condition called food intolerance, and millions suffer from it. You too may have this condition.

When your body is not able to digest some particular type of food it is termed as food intolerance. Nearly 10% of Americans are intolerant to milk. It can be found in infants also who are intolerant to milk or some other food substance since birth. Or it can develop at any age. Food intolerance has been found to be permanent in some cases. But generally it comes and goes depending on the day.

How do you know if you are suffering from food intolerance? The symptoms vary widely, and two people with the same intolerance may have completely different symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms are headache, nausea, abdominal discomfort, fatigue, gas, diarrhea, and sore throat. These symptoms can be extremely unpleasant and can lead to long-term suffering and ill health.

Don not confuse these symptoms with those caused by food allergies. Allergies can cause all of the aforementioned symptoms, plus itching, skin hives, vomiting, swollen lips and throat, and wheezing. These reactions start immediately after the offending food is consumed, and can be serious or even life-threatening. Call for medical help immediately if you suffer these symptoms after eating.

The difference between intolerance and allergy is a small one, and sometimes they are tough to tell apart. You may want to have allergy testing done by an allergist if you are uncertain, to determine which substances you are allergic to and which ones your body simply cannot tolerate. Managing food intolerance starts by ruling out the effects of allergies.

Now that you have come to know that your body is intolerant to certain food you need to be cautious of your food intake. The very first thing is to totally remove this specific food from your diet chart. You also need to read the ingredients of processed foods before consuming them. The idea is to completely shun the offending food if you want to feel good and healthy.

If dairy is the food that causes you pain, you may find it difficult to completely remove it from your diet. The good news is that most people who are lactose intolerant can eat some forms of dairy without feeling sick. Try taking a two-week dairy-free period to let your system heal, and then slowly start trying different dairy products.