Tummy Ache or Food Allergy? How to Tell the Difference (Allergist Advice) | Episode 06

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Is it just a tummy ache, or could it be a food allergy? This is one of the most common questions patients bring to their allergist. In this episode of Allergy Actually, your bestie allergist moms – Dr. Kara Wada, Dr. Amber Patterson, and Dr. Meagan Shepherd – put on their detective hats to help you sort it out.

They discuss the crucial difference between a true, life-threatening food allergy and a food intolerance. Learn why "testing for everything" can do more harm than good by leading to false positives, unnecessary food avoidance, and even nutritional deficiencies. The doctors explain what symptoms define a true food allergy (IgE-mediated reaction), the importance of your personal story in guiding testing, and how a diverse diet is key to a healthy gut microbiome.


EPISODE IN A GLANCE
00:15 Is it a tummy ache or a food allergy?
00:53 The Problem with "Just Test Me for Everything"
02:02 Dangers of Over-testing: False Positives & Unnecessary Avoidance
03:24 Why Your Story is the Most Important Test
05:12 The Ripple Effect of Food Avoidance on Family & Social Life
06:28 The Surprising Link Between a Diverse Diet & Gut Health
08:48 What a TRUE Food Allergy Reaction Looks Like (IgE-Mediated)
10:53 The Importance of a Care Plan for Food Allergies

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ABOUT HOSTS
KARA WADA, MD
Founder of the Immune Confident Institute. Quadruple board-certified pediatric and adult allergy immunology & lifestyle medicine physician, Sjogren’s patient and life coach shares her recipe for success combining anti-inflammatory lifestyle, trusting therapeutic relationships, modern medicine & our minds to harness our body’s ability to heal.

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AMBER PATTERSON, MD
A world-renowned allergy and immunology expert based in Findlay, Ohio. As the U.S. ambassador for ILIT™, a 3-injection allergy shot protocol, she’s redefining allergy care through her solo-private practice, Auni Allergy®, and the groundbreaking Auni ILIT Learning Network. Dr. Patterson’s leadership extends to nearly a decade on the American Academy of Allergy committee and her role as a clinical assistant professor at the University of Toledo College of Medicine. 

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MEAGAN SHEPHERD, MD
A board-certified allergist and immunologist with nearly 15 years of experience providing personalized care for allergies, asthma, and immunodeficiency. She specializes in advanced immunotherapy and practical, evidence-based treatment strategies to improve quality of life. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Shepherd is known for her focus on helping patients with allergy-conscious living — designing homes, habits, and lifestyles that support both wellness and comfort.

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