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Intolerance to Sucrose
A sucrose intolerance is the result of a lack of the proper enzymes and proteins used to digest sucrose. Sucrose is the general term for sugar. Your doctor may be able to identify specific sugars that you can and cannot tolerate, such as fructose or lactose. These conditions are commonly confused with a food allergy, a different medical condition that affects the immune system. If you experience unpleasant symptoms after eating certain foods, talk with your doctor.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Fructose Intolerance
When you eat, your small intestines create certain enzymes that breakdown the proteins and sugars found in the food. If you have a digestive enzyme deficiency, your body doesn’t create enough enzymes to effectively process the food, leading to common food intolerance symptoms. If you have a sucrose intolerance, your body lacks the proper digestive enzymes and proteins to properly digest certain sugars.
Symptoms
Stomach Pain After Eating With Diarrhea
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Symptoms from sucrose intolerance affect the digestive tract. Most symptoms will develop between 20 and 30 minutes after eating or drinking the food product containing sucrose. Common symptoms include:
- bloating
- gas
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- nausea
- floating stools
- foul-smelling stools
- according to MayoClinic.com
Severe symptoms can lead to excessive weight loss, dehydration and malabsorption.
Treatment
There is no cure for sucrose intolerance, but it can be managed. The most effective treatment for a food intolerance is to identify the foods you are intolerant of and avoid them. Use alternatives in place of the food you have an intolerance toward. For example, your doctor may recommend the use of artificial sweeteners or other forms of sugar that you can tolerate. Your doctor may prescribe an enzyme supplement to be taken at the first bite of the food you have an intolerance with.
- There is no cure for sucrose intolerance, but it can be managed.
- Your doctor may prescribe an enzyme supplement to be taken at the first bite of the food you have an intolerance with.
Consideration
Lactose Monohydrate & Lactose Intolerance
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Because food intolerances and food allergies can have similar symptoms, talk to your doctor for a proper diagnosis. A food allergy is unrelated to digestive enzymes and is a malfunction of the immune system, according to MayoClinic.com 2. Your immune system mistakes otherwise safe proteins in foods as harmful and attacks them. If you have a food allergy, you will experience other symptoms aside from just gastrointestinal issues. Food allergy symptoms include skin rashes, facial swelling and asthma.
- Because food intolerances and food allergies can have similar symptoms, talk to your doctor for a proper diagnosis.
- If you have a food allergy, you will experience other symptoms aside from just gastrointestinal issues.
Diet Modification
Your doctor may recommend a modified diet to manage your symptoms. The American College of Gastroenterology recommends eating a balanced diet, full of fruits vegetables, nuts, whole grains and seeds. Drink at least six, 8 oz. glasses of water daily.
- Your doctor may recommend a modified diet to manage your symptoms.
Related Articles
References
- MayoClinic.com: Lactose Intolerance
- MayoClinic.com: Food Intolerance vs. Food Allergy
- AllergyUK. What is Food Intolerance (Non-IgE mediated Food Hypersensitivity)
- Alpay K et al. Diet restriction in migraine, based on IgG against foods: A clinical double-blind, randomized, cross-over trial. Cephalalgia. 2010 Jul; 30(7): 829–837.
- American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Food Intolerance fact sheet.
- Pelsser LM et al. Effects of a restricted elimination diet on the behaviour of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (INCA study): a randomized controlled trial. The Lancet. 2011 Feb 5;377(9764):494-503.
Writer Bio
Diane Marks started her writing career in 2010 and has been in health care administration for more than 30 years. She holds a registered nurse license from Citizens General Hospital School of Nursing, a Bachelor of Arts in health care education from California University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Science in health administration from the University of Pittsburgh.