How To Reduce Gluten Intake
While people with celiac disease must exclude gluten from their diet as soon as a doctor has diagnosed the condition, many people with gluten intolerance slowly reduce the consumption of gluten, rather than cutting it out straightaway.
It can help if a person starts by including one gluten-free meal per day before slowly adding more.
It may not be beneficial for everyone with gluten intolerance to cut gluten out of their diet entirely, as peoples symptoms will vary in their severity.
Some people may be able to consume small amounts of gluten without experiencing any symptoms.
The majority of people with gluten intolerance, however, may want to eliminate gluten from their diet gradually.
Symptoms Of Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is the most severe form of gluten intolerance.
It is an autoimmune disease that affects about 1% of the population and may lead to damage in the digestive system .
It can cause a wide range of symptoms, including skin problems, gastrointestinal issues, mood changes, and more.
Here are a few of the most common symptoms of celiac disease.
Can Children Outgrow Celiac Disease
Unfortunately, people don’t outgrow celiac disease your child will need to be on a strict gluten-free diet for his entire life.
On the other hand, most children outgrow wheat allergies by the time they reach adulthood. Similarly, non-celiac gluten sensitivity may be a temporary condition. Therefore, experts recommend trialing gluten again after 1 to 2 years of adhering to a gluten-free diet.
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Why Has Gluten Sensitivity Increased
Many people think that gluten sensitivities are just a marketing fad however, gluten intolerance, gluten sensitivity, and celiac disease are real problems that affect real people. So why have gluten sensitivities increased? Beginning in the 1950s, researchers began experimenting with the DNA of wheat to try to create wheat that required less maintenance and could be grown in a smaller space.
The wheat created today is half as tall and more productive than what was grown 70 years ago. Unfortunately, the hybridization and modification done to wheat have caused other results. For example, wheat is lower in fiber and higher in substances like agglutinin, amylopectin, and gliadin, which are all found in gluten. These changes have had a drastic impact on the health of men and women around the world. Today, you will find gluten as an ingredient in almost every type of processed food. It is also found in lotions, makeup, medications, and much more.
What Is Gluten Intolerance Or Gluten Sensitivity Understanding How They Differ From Other Gluten
These two terms sound like theyre entirely different things, but actually theyre the same. We call these non-celiac gluten sensitivity, or NCGS, says Mukherjee. These are patients who have neither celiac nor wheat allergy, she says.
Testing wont show that youre producing antibodies or have inflammation in your small intestine. Still, symptoms can be very similar to celiac including bloating, gas, brain fog, abdominal pain, and changes in bowel movements, fluctuating from diarrhea to constipation, joint pain, muscle cramps, neuropathy and they tend to improve when a patient stops eating gluten. Mukherjee adds that these symptoms are often very similar to what people with irritable bowel syndrome experience.
That said, theres no test to definitively diagnose someone with NCGS, says Mukherjee. If a patient receives a normal test result
Still, its best to be up front with your doctor to receive the most accurate diagnosis. If youre concerned about these symptoms, feel free to tell your physician, Im concerned about a gluten problem, can we do any testing you deem necessary? advises Mukherjee.
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What Causes Gluten Intolerance
The exact causes of gluten intolerance arent well understood. Some research shows that people may not be sensitive to gluten, but to a certain carbohydrate found in many foods. Their bodies dont absorb the carbohydrate as they should. It stays in their guts and ferments, causing sickness.
Other research suggests that wheat might affect the lining of some peoples digestive tracts. This lining usually keeps bacteria from leaking out of your intestines. But in people with a gluten intolerance, the lining may not work as it should, allowing bacteria into their blood or liver and causing inflammation.
What Causes Gluten Sensitivity
While the underlying cause is not exactly known, the cause of gluten sensitivity is the consumption of foods that contain gluten.
As we mentioned, gliadin and glutenin are the proteins that can cause symptoms of gluten intolerance to flare up. When people with gluten intolerance are not able to break these proteins down properly, then they can experience extremely uncomfortable symptoms.
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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.
Is Karo Syrup Safe For Young Children
Some healthcare professionals recommend feeding infants Karo syrup to prevent or treat constipation.
However, corn syrup is not sterile. As a result, they might contain harmful levels of bacteria called Clostridium botulinum . These bacteria can cause a rare and sometimes fatal illness called botulism.
Karo syrup may also of dental cavities developing in older infants. As such, the syrup is not suitable for children.
On top of any health risks, infants often do not require active treatment for constipation.
Preventing and treating constipation in infants is often as simple as making small dietary changes. If your baby is old enough to eat solid foods, adding more fresh fruit or fiber-rich foods is often enough to soften the stool.
One simple remedy is to give infants 1 ounce of apple or pear juice per day for about the first 4 months of life. Increasing the intake of nutrtious fluids and avoiding cows milk may also be helpful for older infants.
A glycerin suppository may sometimes help constipation relief in young children. If symptoms persist despite home management and treatment, seek medical advice and treatment from a qualified professional.
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Several Processed Foods And Other Items
Many processed foods and other popular items may also harbor gluten. These include:
- meat substitutes, such as veggie burgers and hot dogs
- prepared lunch meats
- french fries and other fried foods
Summary
Foods that contain gluten include breads, pastas, crackers, baked goods, many grains, and several beverages and processed items.
Though it may seem as if most foods are off-limits when youre intolerant to gluten, many delicious and healthy foods are naturally gluten-free. Plus, quality gluten-free breads, pastas, and crackers are available in most grocery stores.
If youre gluten intolerant, you can enjoy the following foods.
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Managing A Severe Food Reaction With Epinephrine
A wheat allergy reaction can cause symptoms that range from mild to life-threatening the severity of each reaction is unpredictable. People who have previously experienced only mild symptoms may suddenly experience a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis. In the U.S., food allergy is the leading cause of anaphylaxis outside the hospital setting.
Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis, which can occur within seconds or minutes, can worsen quickly and can be deadly. In this type of allergic reaction, exposure to the allergen causes the whole-body release of a flood of chemicals that can lead to lowered blood pressure and narrowed airways, among other serious symptoms.
Once youre diagnosed with a food allergy, your allergist will likely prescribe an epinephrine auto-injector and teach you how to use it. Check the expiration date of your auto-injector, note the expiration date on your calendar and ask your pharmacy about reminder services for prescription renewals.
If you are uncertain whether a reaction warrants epinephrine, use it right away, because the benefits of epinephrine far outweigh the risk that a dose may not have been necessary.
Your allergist will provide you with a written emergency treatment plan that outlines which medications should be administered and when . Be sure that you understand how to properly and promptly use an epinephrine auto-injector.
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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 An Infants Bowel Habits Be Like
Bowel habits can vary greatly between young children.
Infants normally empty their bowels once a day and sometimes after every meal. An infant might also go days without a single bowel movement.
There is generally no cause for concern as long as the child is still eating and gaining weight.
Solid, hardened poop can mean that the infant is constipated, however, and may require treatment or a qualified medical opinion.
Constipation is a common but highly treatable health problem.
While Karo syrup is a good option for adults, other remedies are safer for children.
While medications and laxatives are available for people with severe or chronic constipation, people may prefer to manage the condition with lifestyle and dietary changes before taking medication.
Some measures include:
- staying hydrated by drinking more water, which stops stools drying out
- adding fiber to the diet, especially soluble fiber that the body digests with greater ease, such as psyllium
- drinking caffeinated coffee, which stimulates movements in the gut
- eat probiotic foods, containing bacteria that might improve the balance of micro-organisms in the stomach, which can ease digestive processes
- talking to a doctor about changing any medications that might be causing constipation
While these can all be effective measures, a balanced, diet and active lifestyle are the best methods of ensuring smooth digestive processes and avoiding constipation.
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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.
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?
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At What Age Does Celiac Disease Appear
Celiac symptoms can appear as early as 6 months of age, after you start introducing your baby to solid foods that contain gluten. However, symptoms may not be noticeable until adulthood, and some children with celiac disease do not show symptoms at all. Sadly, the majority of people living with celiac disease go undiagnosed.
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.
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Test To Tell If You’re Allergic To Gluten
Am I allergic to gluten? You ask. Well, there’re several tests for this. A gluten allergy is oftentimes difficult to diagnose. Many other conditions can create similar symptoms to gluten allergies, including celiac disease and gluten intolerance. Additionally, symptoms can vary in severity depending on the individual. The only way know for sure is to have yourself tested.
1. Elimination Diet
The first test used to ascertain whether someone has gluten allergies is with an elimination diet. With an elimination diet, people who suspect a gluten allergy removes foods that contain gluten, such as pasta, or wheat, from their diet for a length of time to determine if the symptoms are resolved. Unfortunately, an elimination diet will not completely rule out a gluten sensitivity, or celiac disease.
2. Blood/Skin Tests
A food allergy test such as a skin prick test, or pricking the skin with a needle or pin containing a small amount of the allergen can and do show gluten allergies. However, celiac/gluten intolerance is not an allergy, and the skin tests for allergies will not show it. There are blood tests for celiac/gluten intolerance, but there can still be some false negatives. Therefore, its usually followed up with stool antibody testing to see if you are throwing gluten antibodies into your stool.
3. IgE or Cell-Mediated Test
When Should I Call My Doctor
Some symptoms of gluten exposure can be severe. Seek medical attention if you experience diarrhea or vomiting. Dehydration can lead to dangerous electrolyte imbalances.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Gluten intolerance may make you feel sick after eating gluten. You might get bloated, nauseous or gassy. Gluten intolerance causes a lot of the same symptoms as celiac disease, but its not the same condition. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that leads to damage to the digestive tract. People with gluten intolerance usually find relief from their symptoms by following a gluten-free diet. Gluten-free diets do have some health risks. Its important to work with your healthcare provider and a dietitian to build the right treatment plan for your needs.
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Symptoms And Causes Of Celiac Disease
People who have celiac disease commonly experience weight loss, as well as digestive symptoms, including diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloating.
Some people notice mental and emotional symptoms, such as an inability to concentrate, commonly described as brain fog, or depression.
Not everyone with celiac disease experiences the same symptoms. Some people have no digestive complaints whatsoever, yet routine blood tests reveal low levels of vital nutrients, such as iron, vitamin B12, or vitamin D. NYU Langone doctors take all of these signs and symptoms into account when making a diagnosis.
The exact cause of celiac disease remains largely unknown. However, more than 99 percent of people with celiac disease test positive for two genetic variations known as HLADQ2 and HLADQ8. Not everyone who carries these variations develops celiac disease in fact, most people dont.
Some theories suggest environmental factors trigger celiac disease in people with these genetic variations, but more research is needed. Researchers have found that a family history of the disease increases a persons risk.
How Is Coeliac Disease Diagnosed
As the symptoms of other conditions can closely mimic coeliac disease, it is important the diagnosis be confirmed to ensure appropriate treatment.
Your doctor will do special blood tests that measure certain antibodies for your initial screening. If the results are positive, your doctor will refer you to a gastroenterologist. This specialist will confirm the diagnosis by performing a gastroscopy a procedure that allows tiny samples to be taken from your small intestine. This procedure occurs while you are under sedation and involves a slender instrument being passed through your mouth into your small intestine.
Coeliac disease can be diagnosed without biopsy in some children if strict criteria are met. Importantly, a diagnosis of coeliac disease should only be made by a gastroenterologist.
Do not try to self-diagnose coeliac disease. If the blood tests and gastroscopy are to be accurate, its important that you do not put yourself on a gluten-free diet beforehand. These tests are dependent on a normal gluten intake.
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Do You Have Any Signs Or Symptoms Of Gluten Intolerance
Remember that a gluten intolerance only affects a small percentage of people.
That means going gluten-free only has health benefits for a select few.
But you may be one of them if you frequently experience one or more of the above signs and symptoms.
Always speak with your doctor or dietitian first before making any major dietary changes.
About Joe Leech, Dietitian
Joe Leech is a university-qualified dietitian from Australia.
He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in exercise science, followed by a Master’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics in 2011.
Learn more about him on the About page.
Joe Leech, Dietitian
What Is Gluten Sensitivity
Back to non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Since research into this condition is relatively new, not all physicians have accepted it as a “real” condition. Consequently, not all will give you a diagnosis of gluten sensitivity.
Those practitioners who will diagnose the condition will conduct celiac disease testing to rule out celiac first.
Still, recent medical research on gluten sensitivity has strengthened the theory that it’s a separate condition from celiac disease. Celiac is caused by your body’s reaction to the gluten protein found in wheat, barley, and rye.
It’s less clear what exactly causes gluten sensitivity. Because it may be a non-gluten component of wheat and the other gluten grains, “non-celiac wheat sensitivity” may be a better name for it. For now, though, most medical researchers refer to the condition as “non-celiac gluten sensitivity.”
To get a better picture of the most common symptoms found in gluten sensitivity, Verywell Health spoke with three physician researchers who have spent a great deal of time studying the condition:
- Dr. Alessio Fasano
- Dr. Kenneth Fine
- Dr. Rodney Ford
They discussed their own clinical experience involving patients with gluten sensitivity. It should be noted that in some cases, their opinions haven’t been confirmed in published research or accepted by the medical community at large.
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