Treating The Symptoms Of Gluten Sensitivity With Drugs
As stated above, one of the biggest problems in medicine today is that physicians typically lack the knowledge of gluten induced problems outside of celiac disease. They are not trained to fully understand the symptoms of gluten sensitivity. This lack of knowledge typically leads to the broad application of using medicines to treat symptoms i.e.
- Pain medications to treat gluten induced pain syndromes
- Immune suppressing drugs in the case of autoimmune diseases like lupus and RA.
- Headache medications
- Anti acids to treat GERD
- Antibiotics to treat skin inflammation
- Hormones to treat diabetes, thyroid problems, PMS or PMDD, infertility, PCOS, etc
This approach is dangerous for several reasons. Using medicine to mask symptoms does not lead to resolution of the problem. However masking the symptoms leads to a complacent patient while allowing the underlying damage to continue. In essence the disease process goes unchecked leading to future complications. Using medications can lead to drug induced nutritional deficiencies. These deficiencies end up causing a whole new set of problems that lead to the use of even more medications. Using medications comes with the potential of creating side effects that either cause additional problems, or lead to adding even more medication to treat the side effects.
A recent study published in the British Medical Journal found traditional medical care to be the third leading cause of death in the US!
Always looking out for you,
Are Gluten Intolerance And Celiac Disease The Same Thing
Gluten intolerance and celiac disease are different. People with celiac disease have an autoimmune response to gluten. This means their bodies try to fight against gluten as if it were a virus. This reaction causes inflammation and damage to their digestive tracts. Celiac disease is the result of an abnormal gene. People with celiac disease also have high levels of certain antibodies in their blood, which are substances that fight gluten.
Gluten sensitivity and celiac disease cause a lot of the same symptoms. But people with gluten sensitivity dont have an abnormal gene or antibodies in their blood.
Headaches & Brain Fog
You may relate your frequent headaches to stress or a change of lifestyle. But what about when there is no apparent reason for those headaches? Most people who are sensitive to gluten also complain of persistent nagging headaches without any evident cause.
If you have had headaches or brain fog that do not seem to have a reason, you should probably check your diet.
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What Should I Do If Im Exposed To Gluten
Gluten is in countless foods, drinks and other products. Even if you stick to a gluten-free diet, you might accidentally eat gluten at some point. If you experience side effects from accidental gluten exposure, you can:
- Drink plenty of water to flush out your system.
- Eat small meals that arent spicy or fatty.
- Try ginger or peppermint tea to soothe an upset stomach.
Support For Living With Ncgs
The goal is, as the slogan says, to Stop Suffering. Start Living. After all, you cant very well enjoy the activities, social functions and vacations you dream about if you are struggling with a cranky bowel, if you suffer from uncomfortable and embarrassing flatulence, if you are tired or anxious all the time or if your nagging headaches or depression keep you inside all day.
BodyLogicMD also has a specialized line of products and supplements to get you on the path of recovery and help cleanse your body, relieve the symptoms of conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, and ensure you are getting your gluten-free minerals, vitamins and probiotics.
This all seems overwhelming, but if you are tired of being tired, sick of being sick, fed up with spending too much time on the toilet or fighting off stomach cramps, and itching to stop all the scratching, the professionals at BodyLogicMD are standing by and ready to help you find a solution.
You dont have to continue to suffer from nausea or headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, depression, anxiety or just plain brain fog. The healthcare professionals at BodyLogicMD care about you and are ready to guide you to a more healthy place where you can experience all the things you enjoyand maybe even add some new adventures and experiences to brighten up your life.
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Substitutes For Common Gluten Foods
There are many foods that contain gluten. Hence, it can get quite difficult to switch from it to a diet free of gluten.
But theres nothing to worry about as you can also try gluten-free substitutes for foods that are rich in gluten.
Here are a few substitutes for gluten-rich foods you can include in your platter:
- For beer, you can switch to wine or spirits
- In the case of burgers, you can go for gluten-free burgers
- Soba noodles can be replaced by noodles made of beans and lentils
- You can try going for tamari sauce instead of soy sauce
- There are medications rich in gluten too. In such cases, you can go ahead with certified gluten-free medicines.
- In the case of barley malt, try red wine, apple cider, or rice vinegar.
Understanding The Symptoms Of Nonceliac Gluten Sensitivity
If youve been suffering from symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, joint pain, nausea and headache or brain fog, you are not alone. Maybe youre one of the millions of people who have non-celiac gluten sensitivity , also known as gluten intolerance.
According to beyondceliac.org, up to 6 percent of Americans could have NCGS. That may not seem like a lot, but when you do the actual numbers, thats 18 million Americans.
To make matters worse, many people experiencing the symptoms of NCGS may have been able to consume gluten-containing products for years without discomfort. Then, without warning, the problems start.
As registered dietician Erica Kannall at SFGate.com explains why: Its likely that you have carried a gene for gluten intolerance without knowing it and something in your life triggered the gene to be expressed.
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What Are The Symptoms
Common digestive symptoms of gluten sensitivity include intestinal gas, bloating, abdominal cramping or pain, diarrhea, constipation, and nausea. Other possible non-digestive side effects are fatigue, anxiety, ADHD-like symptoms, brain fog, headaches, bone or joint pain, balance problems, confusion, numbness, depression, unexplained weight loss, anemia, or a skin rash.
An Issue With Passing Stools
If you consume gluten in a body that is sensitive to gluten, it is sure to react adversely. Having diarrhea or constipation are two extremes associated with gluten poisoning.
You shouldnt worry too much if your diarrhea or constipation happens on occasion. But the cause for concern arises when your stools are loose or difficult to pass regularly.
Stools get messed up when the gluten plays havoc on the gut lining of your stomach. This damage causes your body to absorb lesser nutrients and vital components. And as a result, you face the discomfort and changes in your bowel habits.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Gluten Poisoning
Before we get to know the many gluten poisoning symptoms, it is pertinent to note one thing. If you have been diagnosed with celiac disease recently and did not have it since childhood? Then you may experience opposite symptoms.
Like, if you had diarrhea before due to the consumption of gluten, you most probably would have constipation as a result of being a celiac disease patient.
If you had no symptoms before you got the celiac sickness, your body would most likely create reflux against the gluten when you consume it as a celiac patient. So, it depends on your body and how it reacts to gluten.
Here are some side effects of gluten, which will help you know if you have gluten poisoned yourself.
There Are Many Symptoms Of Gluten Intolerance And Celiac Disease
Most people wonder if they have celiac disease or a gluten intolerance because of gastrointestinal symptoms like gassiness, diarrhea, constipation or excessive bloating. But other symptoms might not be so obvious. And while gluten intolerance and celiac disease are different, many of the symptoms can be similar. Here are some signs of celiac disease and gluten intolerance you might not be aware of.
- Digestive issues
- Tingling or numbness in hands and/or feet
- Bone and joint pain
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Avoid Foods That Contain Gluten
It is easier to identify some gluten-containing foods than others.
Foods that have a gluten-containing grain as one of their main ingredients may be easier to identify and avoid. For example:
- bread
So, if you have coeliac disease, you need to become ‘ingredient aware’. An accredited practising dietitian can give you advice about how to follow a gluten-free diet.
If you join Coeliac Australia you will receive information and advice about following a gluten-free diet, including an ingredient list booklet which shows you which ingredients you need to avoid, as well as other benefits.
Foods To Avoid If You Have A Gluten Intolerance
The only treatment for gluten intolerance is to avoid foods containing gluten, such as:
- Lunchmeats
- Salad dressings and sauces
While this may seem like a daunting list, most fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and meats or fish that are not breaded or battered are gluten-free. Reading the food ingredients list can help you avoid gluten.
If you are gluten intolerant and eat gluten-containing foods, you may experience pain, but it won’t affect your long-term health. Therefore, if you only experience mild symptoms after you eat gluten, you may not need to avoid some of your favorite gluten-containing foods entirely.
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Are You At Risk
If you have any of these above 60+ symptoms of non-celiac gluten sensitivity, talk to your doctor ASAP to get tested for both celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. Its a no-brainer to take this at-home celiac disease test first, and then discuss the results with your doctor.
Remember, if you have a first or second degree relative with celiac disease, you are at higher risk for having the disease as there is a genetic component to celiac.
What Is Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder thatâs triggered when you eat gluten. Itâs also known as celiac sprue, nontropical sprue, or gluten-sensitive enteropathy.
Gluten is a protein in wheat, barley, rye, and other grains. Itâs what makes dough elastic and gives bread its chewy texture.
When someone with celiac disease eats something with gluten, their body overreacts to the protein and damages their villi, small finger-like projections found along the wall of their small intestine.
When your villi are injured, your small intestine canât properly absorb nutrients from food. Eventually, this can lead to malnourishment, as well as loss of bone density, miscarriage, infertility or even neurological diseases or certain cancers.
If your celiac disease isnât better after at least a year without gluten, itâs called refractory or nonresponsive celiac disease.
Most people with celiac disease never know that they have it. Researchers think that as few as 20% of people with the disease get the right diagnosis. The damage to your intestine is very slow, and symptoms are so varied that it can take years to get a diagnosis.
Celiac disease isnât the same thing as gluten intolerance or gluten sensitivity. People with gluten intolerance may have some of the same symptoms and may want to avoid gluten. But they donât show an immune response or damage to the small intestine.
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How Is Coeliac Disease Treated
At present there is no cure for coeliac disease. If you have coeliac disease the only treatment is a strict, lifelong gluten-free diet. That means avoiding all foods that contain gluten. To do this, it is important to:
- know which ingredients contain gluten
- read the labels of all packaged or prepared foods
- avoid eating gluten-free foods that have been contaminated with gluten .
What Are The Symptoms Of Coeliac Disease
The symptoms of coeliac disease can range from severe to minor or atypical, and may even go undetected. Some symptoms can be wrongly confused with irritable bowel syndrome or a sensitivity to wheat or other food, while other symptoms may be put down to stress or getting older.The most common symptoms of coeliac disease in adults include:
- irritability.
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Signs And Symptoms Of Gluten Sensitivity
Gastrointestinal-related gluten sensitivity symptoms
There are a number of gastrointestinal symptoms that can be related to the foods we eat, including gluten-containing foods.
- Bloating is an uncomfortable feeling of fullness that comes on after eating and is a possible sign of gluten sensitivity. But itâs important to keep in mind there may be other foods, or other factors, contributing to bloating.
- Abdominal pain can happen for many possible reasons, and it may be one of the signs of gluten sensitivity.
- Diarrhea and constipation are other symptoms that may be related to gluten sensitivity.
Having occasional digestive issues can be normal, but if you experience gastrointestinal symptoms frequently, sensitivity to gluten may be the reason why. Other conditions to consider as possible causes of gastrointestinal symptoms include irritable bowel syndrome , inflammatory bowel disease , lactose intolerance, and celiac disease.
Who Gets Dermatitis Herpetiformis
- About 15-25% of individuals with celiac disease experience DH
- Dermatitis herpetiformis affects more men than women
- Dermatitis herpetiformis generally starts in adulthood. Its not common to see DH in children, but it can occur
Only about 20 percent of people with DH have intestinal symptoms of celiac disease, however, biopsies show that 80 percent have some degree of damage to the small intestine, especially if a high gluten diet is maintained.
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What Are The First Signs Of Gluten Intolerance
Gluten intolerance can cause a wide range of symptoms. The signs of this condition that first appear, vary for each person. When you have this condition, you might have gas, bloating, abdominal pain or other digestive problems. Other signs that can occur include constipation, diarrhea, headaches, nausea, fatigue and joint pain.
About Jennifer Fugo Ms Chc
Jennifer Fugo is a clinical nutritionist with a Masters in Human Nutrition as well as a trained wellness coach and yoga instructor. Jennifer is a sought-after expert about healthy, gluten-free living as well as a speaker who has been featured on Doctor Oz, Yahoo! News, eHow, CNN, and Huffington Post.
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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.
