Common Signs of Gluten Sensitivity
If you have ‘foggy’ feelings, gastrointestinal discomfort, or headaches, it is likely that you are experiencing Gluten Sensitivity. Celiac disease, also known as celiac sprue or gluten-sensitive enteropathy, is caused by an immune response to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and other grains.
If you have celiac disease, gluten triggers an immune response in your small intestine. Over time, this reaction damages the lining of your small intestine, preventing it from receiving certain nutrients (malabsorption). Diarrhea, tiredness, weight loss, bloating, and anemia are frequent indications of intestinal damage, which can have serious implications.
Gluten intolerance is a medical disorder in which the body cannot handle gluten. Gluten intolerant people experience symptoms similar to celiac disease patients, but they lack the antibodies and intestinal damage that celiac disease patients suffer.
It is crucial to differentiate celiac disease from gluten intolerance caused by non-celiac gluten sensitivity. According to a 2017 study, a blood test should be conducted before going gluten-free to ensure a thorough diagnosis for long-term treatment. If your celiac disease test comes back negative but still has symptoms, you may have non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
What is gluten, exactly?
Gluten is a protein found in grains, including wheat, barley, rye, and oats. It is present in many foods and drinks, including pasta, cereal, and beer. Gluten may be present in various items, including vitamins, cosmetics, and even certain medications.
Is gluten intolerance synonymous with celiac disease?
Gluten sensitivity and celiac disease are not synonymous. Gluten causes an autoimmune response in celiac disease patients. This means that their bodies treat gluten like a virus. As a result of this response, their digestive systems become irritated and injured. A gene mutation causes celiac disease. Celiac disease patients also have high antibodies in their blood, which are proteins that resist gluten. Many symptoms of gluten sensitivity and celiac disease overlap. On the other hand, gluten-sensitive individuals do not have faulty genes or antibodies in their blood.
Is gluten sensitivity the same as gluten intolerance?
Food intolerance is distinct from a food allergy. A food allergy occurs when your immune system overreacts to a specific food, such as wheat. Allergies cause itchiness, vomiting, and shortness of breath. Gluten intolerance is not synonymous with gluten allergy.
Who is at risk of gluten sensitivity?
Gluten intolerance can affect everyone. However, it is more frequent among women. Some people are born with gluten sensitivity, while others get it later in life.
What is the prevalence of gluten sensitivity?
According to studies, gluten intolerance affects around 6% of the population in the United States. It is more common than celiac disease, affecting approximately 1% of the population.
What factors contribute to gluten sensitivity?
Gluten intolerance is caused by several reasons that are not fully understood. Several studies suggest that people may be sensitive to a carbohydrate found in many foods rather than gluten. Carbohydrates are not absorbed as efficiently in their bodies as they should be. It ferments in their intestines, causing disease.
According to other research, wheat may affect the lining of certain people’s digestive tracts. In most situations, this lining keeps bacteria from escaping your intestines. However, the lining may fail to function effectively in gluten-sensitive people, allowing pathogens to enter the bloodstream or liver and cause inflammation. What is the technique for determining its cause?
If gluten intolerance is suspected, it is critical to rule out the presence of a more serious illness such as celiac disease or a wheat allergy. A typical method is to collect a blood sample and analyze it for antibodies that might indicate celiac disease or a wheat allergy. In some cases, further testing may be necessary.
Even once a doctor has ruled out a more severe problem, it can be challenging to determine if gluten intolerance exists because there are no tests. The most common technique to determine whether you have gluten sensitivity is eliminating gluten from your diet and monitoring your symptoms for changes. Keeping a food diary can help a person keep track of what meals they’re consuming and what symptoms they’re having.
Gluten intolerance vs. wheat allergy
When someone is allergic to wheat, their body reacts to a protein contained in wheat, which isn’t usually gluten. Wheat allergy symptoms can be fatal. Anyone who has this allergy and consumes wheat should seek medical attention immediately. A person who is allergic to wheat may have the following symptoms:
- hives
- swelling
- Wheezing is one example of a respiratory issue.
Anaphylaxis can develop in life-threatening conditions. As a result of this harmful response, the person’s blood pressure decreases, and they may lose consciousness and stop breathing. While an allergic response needs immediate medical attention, intolerance is not as deadly. It can, however, be inconvenient and influence a person’s overall health. Anyone who feels they have an intolerance or allergy should consult a doctor.
Symptoms of non-celiac gluten sensitivity
Although celiac disease is the most severe form of gluten intolerance, 0.5–13 percent of the population suffers from non-celiac gluten sensitivity, a milder form of gluten intolerance that can nevertheless cause symptoms. The following are some of the most common non-celiac gluten sensitivity symptoms. Many of these symptoms arise immediately after consuming gluten. The specific combination of symptoms, on the other hand, may differ. When gluten-intolerant persons include gluten-containing foods in their usual diet, they report the following symptoms as the most common.
1. Diarrhea and constipation
Gluten sensitivity causes constipation, tiredness, headaches, and nausea. According to individuals who experience it, regular episodes of diarrhea and constipation are standard indicators of gluten sensitivity. It’s normal to experience stomach issues regularly but having them regularly might indicate an underlying ailment. Diarrhea and constipation are frequent celiac disease symptoms. As a result of the sickness, they may have abnormally foul-smelling feces, resulting in insufficient nutrient absorption.
2. Bloating
Bloating is another common symptom described by gluten-sensitive people. This is the uncomfortable and lingering sensation of a full stomach. It’s also common to have a gas buildup. Overeating is the most prevalent cause of bloating, but several other circumstances may also cause it. Bloating can occur regularly in gluten-sensitive people and is not always related to the quantity of food they ingest.
3. Abdominal discomfort
A multitude of things might also contribute to abdominal pain. People who claim gluten intolerance, on the other hand, generally have a stomach ache that isn’t caused by anything else.
4. Exhaustion
Fatigue is another symptom that may be difficult to identify since it can be caused by many variables unconnected to any medical concern. Gluten intolerance can induce chronic tiredness, making it challenging to function regularly.
5. Vomiting and nausea
Gluten intolerant people may also experience nausea, particularly after eating a gluten-containing meal. A variety of circumstances can cause nausea, but it may suggest gluten sensitivity if it happens regularly after ingesting gluten.
6. Migraines (migraines)
Another indication of gluten intolerance is headaches on a regular basis.
7. Additional indications and symptoms
Gluten intolerance can frequently induce a mix of these symptoms.
Some Other Symptoms of Gluten Sensitivity
Other symptoms connected with gluten sensitivity are possible, although they are less common. Among these are the following:
- Discomfort in muscles and joints
- Uncertainty about depression or anxiety
- Anemia and severe abdominal discomfort
What is the Gluten Sensitivity/Intolerance treatment?
There is no recognized therapy for gluten intolerance. However, the majority of individuals get relief from their symptoms by following a gluten-free diet. Your diet should be developed in consultation with your doctor and a nutritionist.
You can also discuss the addition of probiotics to your diet with your doctor. Probiotics promote the development of healthy microbes in the stomach. They may be beneficial for bloating, gas, and constipation. According to some research, using particular enzymes can help you digest gluten. However, scientists are presently investigating this treatment. Consult your doctor before using any enzymes.
Foods to be Avoided in Case of Gluten Sensitivity
Gluten-containing foods include wheat, rye, and pasta, to name a few. Gluten-intolerant persons try to avoid eating anything containing gluten, which includes foods such as:
- wheat and derivatives of wheat (such as spelled)
- Malted barley
- Rye
- Brewer’s yeast
This exclusion applies to a wide range of meals and beverages. Some of the most common gluten-containing foods and beverages are as follows:
- Pasta
- Bread and pastries
- A wide variety of baked goods
- Noodles
- Crackers
- Cereals
- Pancakes, crepes, and waffles
- Biscuits
- A selection of sauces and gravies
- Beers
- Malt spirits
Should I limit or eliminate gluten from my diet?
It is vital that people realize that celiac disease affects just around 1% of the population. Although these conditions are uncommon, the symptoms they elicit are widespread, and there are a number of potential causes. As a result, gluten intolerance is a common misdiagnosis. Dietary trends that claim gluten intake is harmful to one’s health compound the problem. There is no evidence that removing gluten from one’s diet has health benefits for people who do not have celiac disease or a wheat allergy. Even for those diagnosed with gluten sensitivity, it is unclear how much benefit a gluten-free diet would bring.
How to Eliminate Gluten from Your Diet
While those with celiac disease must eliminate gluten from their diet as soon as a doctor identifies the condition, many people with gluten sensitivity reduce their gluten consumption gradually rather than entirely removing it. It may be helpful to begin with, one gluten-free meal each day and progressively increase the number of gluten-free meals. Because people’s symptoms vary in severity, eliminating gluten from one’s diet may not benefit everyone with gluten sensitivity.
Gluten in small amounts may be tolerated by some people without creating difficulties. The majority of gluten-sensitive persons, on the other hand, may choose to gradually eliminate gluten from their diet. Gluten intolerance is a medical condition in which a person is unable to consume gluten. Gluten sensitivity necessitates the elimination of gluten from one’s diet. However, unless a person has celiac disease, consuming gluten on a daily basis is unlikely to cause significant health problems. Keeping note of meals and symptoms can help identify potentially troublesome foods as well as manage an intolerance.
How Can You Tell If You’re Gluten Sensitive?
Celiac disease or gluten-sensitive enteropathy is an immunological reaction to gluten, a protein present in wheat, rye, and other grains. Gluten causes an immunological reaction in your small intestine if you have celiac disease. If you suspect you’re responding to gluten, most doctors recommend getting tested for celiac disease first. Gluten sensitivity is a genetic condition that can be passed through generations. It’s common in siblings or cousins from the same family. Each parent passes on a single copy of the gluten intolerance gene and depending on which copy is present, you may or may not experience symptoms.
But how can one know if its DNA contains Gluten Sensitivity genes or not? It’s very effortless and inexpensive to get all the genetic insight regarding Gluten Sensitivity. Get your Gluten (Celiac Disease) – Genetic Food Sensitivity test now before it’s too late. If all of your tests come back positive and you experience similar symptoms, you may be gluten sensitive. Following that, your doctor will work with you to develop a gluten-free diet.
Is it possible for someone to develop intolerance suddenly?
The exact cause of gluten sensitivity is uncertain. It’s possible that a person’s symptoms will arise unexpectedly after consuming a triggering substance. Another unknown ailment affecting the gastrointestinal system, on the other hand, might generate sudden or unexpected symptoms. If new symptoms appear, it’s good to see a doctor.
Is it possible to test negative for celiac disease while yet being gluten-sensitive?
According to studies, gluten sensitivity symptoms are not frequently related to celiac disease. If a person displays symptoms of gluten sensitivity, a healthcare professional may recommend celiac disease testing.
Takeaway
Wheat and other grains can trigger allergic reactions in certain people. They might be sensitive to gluten or another substance. Gluten-free people are deficient in essential nutrients present in whole grains. Grains may also supply a substantial quantity of energy. Anyone considering becoming gluten-free should consult with their doctor or a dietitian about the advantages and safe methods.
HealthCodes DNA’s minimally invasive gluten sensitivity DNA test, as part of our 16 DNA test measure Nutrition Panel, is the safest and most convenient way to discover if you do in fact have a gluten sensitivity. The best way to manage a potential allergy to gluten is to get informed and make the proper adjustments. The sooner you start this process, the sooner you will thank yourself for eliminating sources of dietary discomfort while optimizing your overall well-being and health.