When To See A Doctor
You should definitely see a doctor to determine whats causing your symptoms. Thats because some of the possible conditions will need to be treated with prescribed medications.
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Additionally, while you can manage gluten intolerance or allergy, there might be times when youll need a doctors intervention. If youre having a severe allergic reaction, see a doctor immediately. That should also be your next step if youve been having vomiting or diarrhea for more than a day or you have developed bloody stools.
Signs Of Being Gluten Intolerant
Gluten intolerance is one of the most common gastrointestinal issues we see in our patients. However, being gluten intolerant is not the same as having celiac sprue, aka celiac disease. Both have a negative reaction to digesting gluten, but celiac sprue is an inflammatory disease of the small intestine due to gluten exposure. According to Northwestern Medicine, 6% of the U.S. population has a non-celiac gluten intolerance.
There are many differences between the two, but in basic terms, gluten intolerance is a sensitivity, whereas celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder. One of the main distinguishing factors of each is their symptoms. Here are the top three signs you may be gluten intolerant, rather than celiac.
Im sure theres been a time when weve all experienced the uncomfortable feeling of bloating. Bloating can be the result of many different triggers, however, it is a strong sign of a gastrointestinal issue. PubMed Central found that bloating is actually one of the most common symptoms of people with gluten sensitivity. Their study showed that 87% of people thought to be non-celiac gluten intolerant experienced bloating. If youre noticing a pattern of your stomach feeling swollen or full of gas after digesting products containing wheat, its very possible that you suffer from gluten intolerance.
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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Getty Images 9 Youre So Tired You Need A Nap After Your Nap
Your diet is one of the biggest factors in your energy levels, says De Latour.
You already know, for example, that eating junk makes you feel wasted while protein and veggies keeps you chugging all daybut that might extend to gluten, too. Many sufferers report their energy levels skyrocketing after giving up gluten, says De Latour.
Testing For Gluten Intolerance
One of the best ways to find out if you have gluten intolerance or a sensitivity to gluten is to test yourself. You can do this by removing gluten from your diet for a set period of time and then reintroduce it after the period is over.
Monitor how you feel when youve removed gluten from your diet and compare it to how you feel once youve reintroduced it. If you felt noticeably better when you removed the gluten from your diet then its quite likely you have a gluten intolerance or sensitivity.
If theres no distinguishable difference to how you felt once you have reintroduced gluten into your diet then its likely that you dont have a gluten sensitivity or intolerance.
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Easy Signs To Tell You That You May Have A Gluten Allergy
Finding out that you have a gluten allergy, or even more severely, Celiac Disease, can be extremely difficult. It requires a change of your diet and lifestyle that most arenât willing to make. However it is necessary to understand whatâs happening in your gut. Otherwise you risk serious health problems, and in the case of Celiac Disease, it can literally cause fatal issues!
Finding out that you have a gluten allergy, or even more severely, Celiac Disease, can be extremely difficult. It requires a change of your diet and lifestyle that most arenât willing to make.
However it is necessary to understand whatâs happening in your gut. Otherwise you risk serious health problems, and in the case of Celiac Disease, it can literally cause fatal issues!
Not to mention, there are a lot of benefits to being gluten free. Some choose this diet, even without an allergy/disease, because it helps them so much. For bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts, being gluten free is just one way to avoid some of the harmful foods out there.
In this article, Iâm going to write about some of the signs that you may see in someone who has a gluten allergy. If you are wondering why your stomach is always bothering you, keep reading! This guide may give you some clues.
Signs Youre Gluten Intolerant
More than 55 diseases have been linked to gluten, the protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. Itâs 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?
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You Consistently Have Joint Or Muscle Aches
Chronic joint or muscle pain is a common symptom reported in studies of non-celiac gluten sensitivity .
The pain is said to be like that of Fibromyalgia, a condition which may be improved by going gluten-free, at least anecdotally.
As joint and muscle pain is a broad symptom, only consider it a possible sign if you experience several of the other symptoms.
Signs And Symptoms Of Gluten Intolerance
There is a huge fad component to the gluten-free movement.
However, many people genuinely cannot tolerate it, even if they dont have celiac disease.
The problem is they dont realise this, and then live with digestive symptoms as though its normal.
This article looks at the most common signs and symptoms of gluten intolerance.
Contents
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Causes Of Gluten Intolerance:
According to Cleveland Clinic, the exact causes of gluten sensitivity arent fully understood.
What we do know is that:
- Unlike celiac disease, gluten sensitivity doesnt have the intestine damage or typical markers used for diagnoses of that autoimmune disorder.
- Unlike a wheat allergy, gluten sensitivity doesnt have the traits of an allergy.
At a glance, a gluten-free diet often relieves irritating symptoms, suggesting theyre triggered by the gluten protein or other compounds in gluten-containing grains.
Possible causes for negative symptoms:
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How To Go Gluten Free
Currently, researchers are determining if those with gluten sensitivity should go completely gluten free or maintain a low-gluten diet. Additionally, theyre evaluating which biomarkers help identify gluten intolerance for diagnostic reasons, with the hope of creating tailored treatment options.
Regardless of where the research currently stands, the first step to going gluten free entails ruling out celiac disease, Crohns, and other gut disorders. Afterward, follow an elimination diet. Its wise to consult a registered dietitian, who can help ensure your diets overall quality to reduce the risk of nutritional deficiencies, undesired weight loss, and poor energy intake. He/she can also help with the reintroduction phase, identify symptoms with food correlation, plus help navigate grocery shopping, recipe modifications, label reading, and social dining.
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Celiac Disease Vs Gluten Intolerance Vs Fructan Intolerance
First, its important to understand the difference between celiac disease and gluten intolerance.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease triggered by gluten.
Even tiny amounts of gluten will severely damage the small intestine of an individual with celiac disease.
On the other hand, gluten intolerance is thought to be a subtle sensitivity to gluten diagnosed after exclusion of celiac disease. Its said to affect between 0.5-13% of people .
In the scientific community its known as Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity or wheat sensitivity. Think of it much like you would an intolerance to FODMAPs.
In fact, newer research indicates that we may be incorrectly diagnosing a FODMAP intolerance as a gluten intolerance. Specifically, it really looks like what weve thought was gluten intolerance is actually a fructan intolerance .
A gluten intolerant individual can typically eat small amounts of gluten safely, but experiences health issues when their threshold is exceeded.
The following are common signs and symptoms of gluten intolerance, after celiac disease has been ruled out.
Summary: Gluten can physically damage the small intestine in those with celiac disease. A gluten intolerance, or Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity, is a more subtle sensitivity diagnosed after exclusion of celiac disease.
So Youre Gluten Intolerant What Now
Once you confirm a sensitivity to gluten, the first step is to eliminate all gluten-containing products from your diet. You can find gluten in foods that contain wheat , rye, barley, triticale, malt, and brewers yeast.
Heres a list of popular foods that contain gluten:
- Bread, pasta, cakes, cookies, and muffins
- Wheat , wheat bran hydrolysate, wheat germ oil, wheat protein isolate
- Batter-fried foods
- Snack foods such as potato chips, rice cakes, and crackers
- Salad dressings, soups, ketchup, soy sauce, and marinara sauce
- Processed meats and imitation crab meat
- Ice cream and candy
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Depression Irritability And Behavioral Problems
Gluten can have profound psychological effects in people with celiac disease.
Mood swings, anxiety, and depression are common among adults with undiagnosed gluten sensitivity. In children, tantrums, irritability and even ADHD can manifest. Some researchers estimate neurological disorders may occur in as many as 10-25% of all celiac patients.
Ask your doctor to test for celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, and wheat allergies, particularly if you have a child that has been diagnosed with a behavioral, mental health, or developmental disorder.
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Should Other People Eliminate Gluten From Their Diet Too
Theres a certain subset of the population who have eliminated gluten from their diets, not because of a specific symptom but because they label gluten as bad for you. The upside in this trend is that food brands and restaurants have listened and are now offering more gluten-free options. The downside is that the lay public may not take someones need to avoid gluten seriously, says Bertiger.
Restaurants may not be scrupulous with cross-contamination, for instance, because people who go gluten-free without celiac or NCGS wont be bothered by a little gluten here or there especially if they cant see it. Celiac patients can never eat gluten. When they do, it causes an inflammatory reaction that takes days or weeks to go away, he says. For celiac patients, their health depends on going gluten-free, but there isnt evidence that this is necessary for the general population.
It may even be harmful. A 2017 study looked at more than 100,000 men and women age 26 and older and found that eating gluten didnt increase the risk of heart disease. But the researchers point out that gluten-free eaters may consciously avoid whole grains, which are associated with heart health. The promotion of gluten-free diets among people without celiac disease should not be encouraged, the authors write.
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What Is A Gluten
Gluten-free diets have surged in popularity in recent years. Supermarkets devote whole aisles to products, and restaurants have entirely gluten-free options on the menu to cater for customers dietary requirements.
Gluten-free is one of the biggest revolutions in the food industry since vegetarianism. From vodka to popcorn, there doesnt seem to be a food that isnt available free-from if you want it.
Following a gluten-free diet consists of cutting out all foods that might contain gluten such as wheat, rye or barley which could appear as wholegrains or thickening agents in processed foods. Couscous, bulgur, spelt and matzo are also commonly removed.
If You Have Any Of The Following Symptoms You May Have Gluten Intolerance:
1. Digestive issues such as gas, bloating, diarrhea, and even constipation after eating gluten.
2. Keratosis Pilaris, also known as chicken skin on the back of your arms. This tends to be a result of a fatty acid deficiency and vitamin A deficiency secondary to fat-malabsorption caused by gluten damaging the gut.1
3. Fatigue, brain fog, or feeling tired after eating a meal that contains gluten
4. Diagnosis of an autoimmune disease such as Hashimotos thyroiditis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Ulcerative colitis, Lupus, Psoriasis, Scleroderma, or Multiple sclerosis.
5.Neurologic symptoms such as dizziness or feeling of being off-balance
6. Hormone imbalances such as PMS, PCOS, or unexplained infertility
7. Migraine headaches
8. Diagnosis of chronic fatigue or fibromyalgiathe diagnoses simply indicate your conventional doctor cannot pinpoint the cause of your fatigue or pain.
9. Inflammation, swelling, or pain in your joints such as fingers, knees or hips.
10. Mood issues such as anxiety, depression, mood swings and ADD.
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The Difference Between Lactose Intolerance And Gluten Sensitivity
Even though symptoms can be similar, lactose intolerance and NCGS are quite different.
“Lactose intolerance is fairly straightforwardit occurs when an individual no longer produces the lactase enzyme in sufficient quantities,” says integrative and functional dietitian and nutritionist Ryan Whitcomb, MS, RD, CLT, owner of GUT RXN Nutrition. “Lactase is responsible for breaking down lactose, the natural sugar found in dairy products like milk. Since the body is not able to break this sugar down in the small intestine, where it’s supposed to be digested, it moves into the large intestine.” Here, it produces gas, which causes those unpleasant GI symptoms.
NCGS, on the other hand, isn’t well understood. It can cause the same wide range of symptoms as celiac disease, which, in addition to tummy trouble, can include things like brain fog, rashes, and joint pain. However, celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that causes actual damage to the small intestine, whereas NCGS doesn’t. “For some reason, people with NCGS cannot tolerate gluten, but we don’t currently know why,” says Whitcomb. What is known is that people with NCGS should follow a gluten-free diet.
Wheat Allergy: This Is A Real Allergy
People who are allergic to wheatactually, truly allergic to itsometimes also experience gastrointestinal symptoms and rashes, but they also experience more typical allergy symptoms, like a runny nose. People occasionally refer to a wheat allergy as a gluten allergy, but true wheat allergy doesnt necessarily involve glutenits possible to be allergic to many different components of the wheat plant. Symptoms of true wheat allergy include:
- Nasal congestion
- Swelling of lips, tongue and/or face
- Nausea, vomiting and/or abdominal pain
- Difficulty breathing
The most dangerous potential symptom of wheat allergy is anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening systemic allergic reaction. People experiencing anaphylaxis from wheat allergy may find themselves coughing, wheezing or having difficulty swallowing their hearts may beat rapidly or slow down and they may have a large drop in blood pressure. Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency, so if you experience these symptoms, call 911 immediately.
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Which Foods Are Good For A Gluten
To ensure you maintain a balanced diet which provides the carbohydrates, fibre and vitamins you need, you can supplement your meals with a variety of other grains such as:
In baking, to replace ingredients containing gluten, you can use the following substitutes:
- Agar-agar thickening and binding agent made from seaweed
- Guar gum a thickener made from the seeds of the guar plant
- Carob flour a thickener made from the ground kernels of the carob fruit
- Potato flour a starchy thickener used in sauces, soups and dumplings
Is There A Gluten Intolerance Test
After experiencing the common symptoms of gluten intolerance, many people try keeping a food diary or cutting out certain foods themselves, but it can be hard to ascertain for sure what the culprits are. Moreover, a diet suitable for one person may not help another, as every individual has their own food triggers. Its important to first be examined by your doctor before cutting things out or embarking on a gluten-free diet.
If you do get the medical all-clear and continue experiencing symptoms, it is worth considering a food intolerance test. Food intolerance is characterised as a delayed onset food reaction and is estimated to affect 45% of the UK population.
Understanding your personal food and drink intolerances, or food fingerprint, can help you identify what your body is reacting to. A YorkTest Premium Food Intolerance Test is a blood test that can pinpoint which foods are causing elevated levels of IgG antibodies in your body, as it tests reactions to more than 200 ingredients and shows your degree of reaction through a traffic light system.
It is also important to get expert nutritional advice, so you can replace your trigger foods with balanced alternatives and maintain a healthy diet.
Dr Gill Hart, Scientific Director at YorkTest, says:
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