Don't ever confuse this in a Doctor's office!

Before you make your next Emergency Department visit or MD's office annual, you need to know these differences.

I’m still talking about food. Sometime I feel like my conversations are limited to food.
When I’m in Mysore, after practice I stand outside of the shala gate getting coconuts from Imran. Over these coconuts or chai from Amruth I’m making plans for breakfast; Santosha, Anokhi, DOSA!!!! (After a nap, of course) Over breakfast there is often talk about our late lunch and possibly Anu’s for smoothies.  
In India our diet is limited, dal, rice and sambar, dosa, more dosa, coconuts, chai, idley, vatta, Chocolate Man! Each trip there are more and more food options opening up on the streets of Mysore. But nothing like the options we have when walking into Whole Foods or other food stores in the US.

I was overwhelmed after returning from my last trip out of the US when I walked into Whole Foods. I almost cried. ALMOST! I was drooling on my shirt and had to stop in the fruit section to pick my jaw off of the floor.

Because of our increasing food choices in developed countries, we are seeing more food intolerance, commonly referred to as allergies. But you need to stop confusing the two!

I get it, we are saturated with sensationalized words in the media. Chaos, WARNING, assaulting, repeal, extreme! We create new words with Apocalypse and Armageddon as suffix’s. 
These words are as commonplace today in our general reading as the word, ‘blue’ and they have lost their warning and value.  
Now we go to the healthcare provider’s office (Doctor, Ayurvedic, Acupuncture) and we feel that we will not be taken seriously or treated correctly if we don’t sensationalize our symptoms. Instead of saying I have a sore throat, or I’m tired, we say . . . I have a severe sore throat, I’m fatigued, I have a terrible burning sensation when I pee . . . OKAY that is terrible! And go get that checked out!!

The words you choose effect how we treat you.
After all, Doctors, Nurses, Health care professionals are human too and subject to the same sensational news that you are.

The problem that a sensationalized self-reported condition causes is misdiagnosis. And the seriousness of a true food allergy is being diluted.*

Allergies ARE NOT intolerances.
An allergy is systemic. This involves the entire body system. Swelling, hives, wheezing, itching, everything is involved VS. Intolerance which is indigestion, bloating, diarrhea . . . AKA Hypersensitivity.**
A food intolerance is often a delayed reaction, 30 minutes to 48 hours after eating. This makes it incredibly difficult to diagnose.

Testing is generally trial and error. A ‘simple,’ often referred to as a standard blood test, only works IF the food is removed from the diet for 2weeks-2 months. This is almost the same as an elimination diet. 
An intolerance is related to malabsorption. Different than a psychological intolerance to food which is an emotional association with food rather than the food itself. 
Malabsorption symptoms include but are not limited to;
Eczema
Congestion
Asthma
Non-productive cough
Mouth ulcers
Abdominal Cramps
Gas
Intermittent Diarrhea
Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Up until 2009 there wasn’t much distinction between the two conditions.*** And I get it that it doesn’t matter which one you have, YOU STILL CAN’T EAT THAT FOOD. 

But, in addition to discrediting a bona fide food allergy, mis-speaking about a food intolerance is causing a psychological stress. Systematically this decreases stomach acid and enzymes that are necessary to incorporate these proteins that are building up.

And avoidance of foods we believe we are intolerant to is causing the body to build up and un-necessary immune reaction. Essentially, the avoidance of foods that we are believed to be intolerant too is weakening our immune system.**** 

Ashtanga Nurse RX:
If you have a TRUE food allergy, avoidance is the safest and ONLY option.
If you are intolerant, avoidance is understandable since the reactions are often uncomfortable. However, it is not life-threatening and there are alternatives. Homeopathy or Ayurveda are two of the many alternatives. Each one works to bring balance back to your digestive system.

Click this link for a useful internet medical resource guide for 2017
If you have question please feel free to reach out at: morgan@ashtanganurse.com

* http://www.wholelifetimes.com/1070/food-intolerance-or-food-allergy/

** http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/food-allergy/expert-answers/food-allergy/faq-20058538

*** https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20460624

**** http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1414850#t=article