Whats The Difference Between Wheat Allergy And Celiac Disease
An allergy to wheat involves an allergic response to a protein in wheat. Gluten is not one of the wheat proteins that typically causes an allergic reaction. Gluten is involved in a condition called celiac disease.
Itâs easy to confuse celiac disease with wheat allergy, but they are very different. Celiac disease does not cause an allergic reaction. With celiac disease, there is a different type of immune system response in the intestines, causing a problem with the absorption of food.
While people with wheat allergy can usually eat other grains, people with celiac disease cannot eat any food containing gluten, which is also found in other grains such as barley, rye, and sometimes oats.
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Many People With Gluten Intolerance Don’t Experience All Of These Symptoms
The absence of these symptoms does not necessarily mean you can rule out celiac disease: as I said, some people with gluten intolerance have no symptoms at all or suffer from neurological symptoms .
Many people who are gluten intolerant or have a wheat allergy may not experience any physical symptoms. Instead, they may suffer from depression, headaches, or other issues. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to see a doctor to get diagnosed and start treatment, which often begins with a gluten free diet.
The Truth About Gluten Intolerance
Gluten is the glue that holds it all together, and its a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. Meaning its found in foods you probably eat every day â bread, pasta, crackers, cereals, salad dressings and more.
So what happens when your body has an intolerance or sensitivity to gluten? The results can be unpleasant, painful and downright dangerous to your long-term health. Heres what you should know about gluten intolerance.
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Signs You’re Gluten Intolerant
More than 55 diseases have been linked to gluten, the protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. It’s estimated that 99% of the people who have either gluten intolerance or celiac disease are never diagnosed.It is also estimated that as much as 15% of the US population is gluten intolerant. Could you be one of them?
Wheat Allergy In Childhood
Allergic reactions often appear a few minutes to hours after a food containing wheat is consumed for the first time. However, delayed symptoms can also occur for example, eczema can worsen one to two days after eating wheat. The overall prognosis for wheat allergy is positive. Like cows milk and egg allergies, it usually subsides by adolescence. The allergist can perform a test 12 to 18 months following diagnosis to check whether the allergy is still present so that children may resume wheat consumption as soon as possible.
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Medication For A Wheat Allergy
If you become exposed to wheat accidentally, there are over-the-counter and prescription treatments you can use to manage your reaction.
Over-the-counter antihistamines like Zyrtec can be used to treat mild symptoms like hives but are not a substitute for epinephrine in life-threatening reactions.
People with a life-threatening wheat allergy should be prescribed an EpiPen epinephrine auto-injector to carry at all times for use immediately upon exposure to wheat or in the event of anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction after accidental exposure.
Immunotherapy or immunomodulation, which is a strategy that may reduce the immune reaction, is being studied in experimental research and may hold promise in the management of wheat allergies.
An Introduction To Gluten Or Wheat Intolerance
References to wheat and gluten intolerances are frequently used interchangeably but they are in fact often two separate issues.
Wheat intolerance without being sensitive to gluten is relatively rare but can occur. Around 15% of the population is thought to be intolerant to gluten, which also means they will have to avoid wheat. It is important to understand what this means for you and how it can be managed through diet.
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You Have An Autoimmune Disease
An autoimmune disease is the term given when your immune system mistakenly attacks and damages your own tissue.
There are more than 80 types, characterised by which tissues or organs in the body are damaged.
Gluten intake is consistently linked with numerous types, but whether its the cause remains to be seen. Its influence in Celiac disease is the obvious example, but research indicates gluten likely affects Hashimotos hypothyroidism and Graves disease, to name a few.
Some researchers speculate the potentially negative effect of gluten is to do with the effect that gliadin may have on gut health and function .
In any case, it seems gluten intolerance is more likely in those with an autoimmune condition.
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Wheat Allergy In Adulthood
Although rare, WDEIA is a special form of wheat allergy that can progress to a very severe stage.
The strange thing about WDEIA is that adults and adolescents with this allergy can normally tolerate wheat. They only experience allergic reactions when they engage in physical activity after eating foods containing wheat. In addition to exercise, other triggers have been identified such as alcohol, medication, stress, or hormonal factors such as menstruation in the case of women. If one of these exacerbating factors coincides with wheat consumption, allergic reactions occur 30 minutes to six hours later. These can include itchy skin, wheals, hives or facial swelling. There may also be abdominal pain, diarrhoea or vomiting. In some cases, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, heart palpitations and even circulatory collapse may occur.
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Research Into Non Coeliac Gluten Sensitivity
Non coeliac gluten sensitivity is a condition that is being recognised as a problem in many countries across the world. This is a new area and we need more research to understand the condition and who is at risk. There are no specific diagnostic tests for non coeliac gluten sensitivity.
Some researchers define non coeliac gluten sensitivity as an improvement in symptoms when following a gluten free diet. However, it is difficult to rule out the possibility of a placebo effect.
There is also some debate around whether gluten is the cause of the sensitivity or if other components are to blame. These components are also removed from the diet when gluten containing ingredients are removed, for example Fermentable Oligo- Di- Mono-saccharides and Polyols and other non gluten proteins found in wheat.
Foods To Consider Eliminating
Even with wheat or gluten intolerance you may find you are able to tolerate small amounts of certain varieties of foods containing the problem component. For example, ancient sources of wheat such as spelt or kamut may not affect you in the same way or to the same degree as do more modern and processed sources of wheat.
A degree of trial and error may be necessary for you to determine the threshold over which you produce symptoms.
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Gluten Ataxia: Scary Brain Disorder
The last of the potential “gluten allergy” conditions is also the most uncommon: a brain disorder called gluten ataxia. When you suffer from gluten ataxia, gluten consumption actually causes your immune system to attack the part of your brain called the cerebellum, potentially resulting in damage that’s eventually irreversible. Symptoms of gluten ataxia include:
- Problems with walking and your gait
- Clumsiness and lack of coordination
- Deterioration of fine motor skills
- Slurring of speech
- Difficulty swallowing
Gluten ataxia is progressive: sufferers may start out with what may seem like a minor balance problem, but can ultimately wind up significantly disabled.
While about one in four people diagnosed with gluten ataxia has the characteristic villous atrophy of celiac disease, only about one in 10 has gastrointestinal symptoms.
Managing Food Allergies In Children
Because fatal and near-fatal wheat allergy reactions, like other food allergy symptoms, can develop when a child is not with his or her family, parents need to make sure that their childs school, day care or other program has a written emergency action plan with instructions on preventing, recognizing and managing these episodes in class and during activities such as sporting events and field trips. A nonprofit group, Food Allergy Research & Education, has a list of resources for schools, parents and students in managing food allergies.
If your child has been prescribed an auto-injector, be sure that you and those responsible for supervising your child understand how to use it.
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Diagnosing Gluten Sensitivity / Gluten Intolerance
It is important to distinguish between celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity, also known as gluten intolerance, in order to ensure you get the right care. Your doctor can test for celiac disease with a simple blood test. If your test results for celiac disease are negative but you still have symptoms, you may then be diagnosed with non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Learn more about getting tested for celiac disease.
An important note on getting tested: you must continue to eat gluten. Going gluten-free before getting tested can affect your results. If youre already gluten-free but want to get tested, consider undergoing a gluten challenge.
Complete our celiac disease symptoms checklist and then share the results with your doctor to get the conversation about getting testing started.
So How Can You Tell Which Gluten Allergy You Have
Itâs clear you canât tell from symptoms alone. The truth is, youâll need to see your healthcare provider and have some medical testing to determine which of these gluten-related conditions if any you might actually have.
If you have gastrointestinal symptoms that may point to celiac disease, youâll likely start with celiac blood tests. If those are positive, your healthcare provider will likely recommend you undergo an endoscopy, a procedure that enables your healthcare provider to look directly at your small intestine and take samples for laboratory examination. Read more about all this: Celiac Disease Tests â How To Get Diagnosed
If, on the other hand, your celiac blood tests are negative, then your healthcare provider may consider the possibility of non-celiac gluten sensitivity or another condition such as irritable bowel syndrome, and may recommend tests for gluten sensitivity.
Wheat allergy is usually diagnosed with skin prick tests, although your healthcare provider may also use a blood test that looks for specific antibodies to wheat proteins.
For people with rashes they believe may be dermatitis herpetiformis, the first step is likely a visit to a dermatologist, who may recommend a skin biopsy of characteristic deposits of antibodies in your rash area.
And finally, if your symptoms are indicative of gluten ataxia, the path to diagnosis unfortunately isnât straightforward, although there are several tests your neurologist may want to perform.
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The Bottom Line On Gluten
If youre suffering from symptoms that you suspect may be gluten-related, continue your normal diet. Make an appointment with your doctor and outline your symptoms and discuss your family medical history. Ask if testing is appropriate. Then work with your doctor to devise a treatment plan thats best for you.
What Is Gluten Intolerance
Gluten is a kind of protein that is found in grains like wheat, rye, and barley. Gluten is often found in foods that use these ingredients, but it can also be found in medicines, vitamins, and supplements that use small amounts of these ingredients. Gluten intolerance, also called gluten sensitivity, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, or non-celiac wheat sensitivity, is a disorder where your body reacts badly to eating gluten.
In some ways, gluten intolerance is similar to celiac disease, a condition in which eating gluten causes symptoms. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that is hereditary .
An autoimmune disease is a condition that occurs when the bodys immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the bodys tissue. In celiac disease, gluten causes a reaction that destroys the lining of the small intestines. This reduces the area for absorbing virtually all nutrients.
A gluten intolerance can cause problems with your digestive system, but it wont cause permanent damage to your stomach, intestine, or other organs. However, gluten intolerance is similar to celiac disease, a condition that can cause permanent damage to your small intestine, so you should talk to a gastroenterologist if you think you might have gluten intolerance.
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What Is The Difference Between The Conditions
Coeliac disease is a well defined, serious illness where the bodys immune system attacks itself when gluten is eaten. This causes damage to the lining of the gut and means that the body cannot properly absorb nutrients from food.
Coeliac disease is not a food allergy or intolerance, it is an autoimmune disease.
Wheat allergy is a reaction to proteins found in wheat, triggered by the immune system and usually occurs within seconds or minutes of eating.
Non coeliac gluten sensitivity is when symptoms similar to coeliac disease are experienced, but it is not clear how the immune system might be involved because no antibodies are produced, and there does not appear to be damage to the gut lining.
Is There A Food Intolerance Test
A number of companies produce food intolerance tests, but these tests are not based on scientific evidence and are not recommended by the British Dietary Association .
The best way of diagnosing a food intolerance is to monitor your symptoms and the foods you eat. See what happens when you cut out the suspected food for a while, and then reintroduce it into your diet.
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What Should I Do If I Think Im Allergic To Gluten
If you have a gut feeling that you might be reacting to gluten, your first response might be to stop eating it altogether. But if you want testing done to confirm a diagnosis, pause before you rehaul your diet. To be correctly diagnosed with celiac disease, you must continue to eat gluten until after completing your testing. If you begin eating a gluten-free diet or even smaller amounts of gluten, you can have a false-negative celiac result.
Request a celiac panel if you have discovered that you are not allergic to gluten via a skin prick test. If your health care practitioner is reluctant, insist! Or find another licensed practitioner to work with. It is your body, your health, and your happiness at stake.
If you test negative for celiac, ask your provider about NCGS. You may be asked to do an elimination-reintroduction diet, or you can do one on your own. At this stage, an elimination diet is an excellent tool to confirm that gluten is, in fact, what is making you feel so crappy.
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Gluten Intolerance And Celiac Disease Are Different
There are two different types of gluten intolerance: Celiac disease and non-celiac gluten intolerance.
Celiac disease is a genetic, autoimmune disorder that affects about 1 in 100 people worldwide. People with celiac disease are genetically predisposed to gluten intolerance, and even ingesting a very small amount can lead to severe damage of the small intestine.
The disease can develop at any age and, if left untreated, can lead to serious health problems.Most concerning? Many people who have celiac disease dont realize it. In fact, the Celiac Disease Foundation reports that an estimated 2.5 million Americans are undiagnosed, and therefore at risk for major long-term health complications.
But you dont have to have celiac disease to have a gluten intolerance. Non-celiac gluten intolerance can be tough to diagnose because its not an autoimmune disease or a food allergy . Non-celiac gluten intolerance means that your bodys digestive system cant tolerate any form of the protein gluten. If consumed, your body fights against it with inflammation, causing digestive issues like fatigue, abdominal pain, diarrhea and gassiness. Its estimated that 15 percent of the U.S. population has some sort of non-celiac gluten intolerance.
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You Always Experience Abdominal Pain And Bloating
Abdominal bloating is characterized by tightness and/or swelling in your abdominal region.
It occurs because of excess gas or disturbances in the muscles involved with digestion.
In a study of 59 adults with suspected NCGS, abdominal pain and bloating were the top reported digestive symptoms .
Its thought that a buildup of gas is the main cause in those who are sensitive after a gluten rich meal.
Could My Symptoms Be Something Else
If you regularly have diarrhoea, bloating, tummy pain or skin rashes but you’re not certain of the cause, see a GP.
A GP may be able to diagnose the cause from your symptoms and medical history. If necessary, they’ll order tests, such as blood tests.
You can also do some research yourself. It may help to find out about other conditions that cause similar symptoms. For example, find out about:
The bowel is a sensitive organ and it’s common to have bowel symptoms when you have been ill or feel run down or stressed.
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Will There Ever Be A Drug For Celiac Disease
Unfortunately, 83 percent of people with celiac disease are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Thats largely because signs and symptoms can vary widely. These fall into two categories, called GI and extra-GI, says Mukherjee.
GI symptoms include chronic diarrhea or constipation, abdominal pain, bloating, and weight gain or loss. Extra-GI symptoms refer to those that are seemingly unrelated to your GI tract, like joint pain, difficulty concentrating, brain fog, fatigue, muscle cramps, unexplained anemia, and fertility issues in women, she notes.
It can be tough getting a diagnosis. If a physician doesnt suspect celiac, it can be years before a patient is diagnosed, she says.
These symptoms, along with a personal history of autoimmune disorders or a family history of celiac or autoimmune disorders, should tip off your physician that celiac may be a possibility, and you should be tested, she says. Testing is done through a tissue transglutaminase IgA antibody and IgA antibody test. Stay on a regular diet while having the test done, because cutting gluten before testing can give you a false result.
If youre diagnosed with celiac, the only treatment available right now is a strict gluten-free diet, which will allow your small intestine to heal, relieving symptoms and preventing nutritional deficiencies that can arise from problems absorbing food when you have the disease.
