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FOOD ALLERGY AND FOOD INTOLERANCE: THE DIFFERENCE

             Tim: “I put down my fork and started to feel uneasy. I had an itchy sensation in my mouth, and my tongue was swelling. I started to feel light-headed and was having trouble breathing. Hives were breaking out on my arms and neck. I tried to stifle panic but knew I had to get to a hospital –and quickly!” For most people, eating is a pleasant experience. There are some, however, who are compelled to treat certain foods as “enemies.” Like Tim, quoted earlier, they suffer from food allergies. Tim’s severe allergic response is called ANAPHYLAXIS, a very dangerous condition. Thankfully, most food allergies are not as serious. In recent years, there has been a rise in reported food allergies and intolerances. Some studies, however, suggest that only a small portion of those who think they have a food allergy have been definitely diagnosed.                                                    WHAT IS A FOOD ALLERGY? “Food allergy has no universally accepte