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.
Diagnosis Of Gluten Sensitivity
There is no validated test to diagnose GS. Some online labs offer blood, saliva, or stool tests for gluten sensitivity, but they are invalidated and not recommended.
It is impossible to develop a test when the mechanism of gluten sensitivity has not been determined. Diagnosis is made by ruling out CD and wheat allergy while the patient is on a gluten-containing diet. Once both are ruled out, a gluten elimination diet is prescribed. If symptoms improve, the patient is deemed to have gluten sensitivity. Using a response to initiation of a gluten-free diet as a prognostic indicator will give inaccurate results, as both celiac and GS can have similar responses to a gluten-free diet.
Read Also: Does Hellofresh Have Gluten Free
Causes Of Gluten Sensitivity
Doctors dont fully understand the reasons behind gluten sensitivity. Its possible that a variety of other substances collectively falling under the acronym FODMAPs, may be the culprit. Its also possible that the quantity of gluten, which is much higher in processed foods and current strains of wheat, may be the cause.
Treatment may involve a gluten-free trial period to see if that helps resolve your symptoms. A dietitian can help you develop an eating plan to ensure you get proper nutrition while avoiding potentially harmful foods.
You may also try an elimination diet, where you eliminate troublesome foods and add them back one by one to discover what is causing your symptoms.
If you have stomach discomfort or distress after eating bread, cake, cookies, or other grains, see your doctor. Testing to rule out celiac disease will allow you to find an eating plan that doesnt cause discomfort.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on September 27, 2017, and was last reviewed on April 29, 2022
Don’t Miss: Bj’s Brewhouse Gluten Free
What Is Gluten Sensitivity
Also known as non-celiac gluten sensitivity, gluten sensitivity is not a condition that is currently well-defined within the medical community. It is neither an autoimmune reaction like celiac disease or an allergic reaction in which the immune system produces antibodies. As such, diagnosis of gluten sensitivity is usually made by ruling out other conditions there is no test or biomarker that can be used to identify this condition. If celiac disease and wheat allergy have both been ruled out, switching to a gluten free diet may be warranted and, if that results in a reduction of symptoms, a diagnosis of gluten sensitivity can then be confirmed. At this time, a gluten free diet is the only known treatment for gluten sensitivity.
What If All Your Symptoms Do Not Improve On A Gluten
As mentioned above, eliminating gluten is often just the first part of treatment. As doctors who specialize in gluten intolerance and celiac treatment, we see that some individuals improve dramatically with just a dietary change, but more often the improvement can be temporary and is not enough to restore one to the status of feeling good again.
Due to glutens effect on the immune system, several problems can occur. We call these the Secondary Effects of Gluten.
- One can develop infections in the intestine that, while silent symptomwise, is preventing the intestine from completely healing.
- In addition, gluten creates a leakiness of the intestine that compromises the absorption of nutrients, inflames the immune system, and allows problems to develop in many other systems of the body. It is this leaky gut that is thought to be a major contributor to the long list of problems that can occur secondary to gluten.
- Due to the stress put on the immune system, your body can react to other foods as if they were gluten these are called cross-reactive foods, and a specialized lab test can determine if such reactions are occurring.
Also Check: Jimmy John’s Gluten Free Bread
Life Without Wheat Or Gluten
It can be hard to live with a condition that strictly forbids gluten. You may have to seek out foods that wont make you sick at restaurants, parties and family gatherings. Additionally, many people dont understand these conditions and dismiss them as not that serious.
Reach out to your provider if you find that living with celiac disease, NCGS or a wheat allergy is affecting your physical or mental health. Your provider is your healthcare partner, here to help you feel your best. They can guide you through ways to manage your condition and find support groups, where you can connect with others who understand.
You can live a full, active and delicious life, even without gluten.
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.
Recommended Reading: Is Sabra Hummus Gluten Free
What Is The Difference Between Celiac Disease And Gluten Intolerance
Its hard to understand the differences between celiac disease and gluten intolerance because of their similarities. These similarities also make it hard to know which condition you have unless you are tested. Meaning, you cant self-diagnose yourself with either.
The key differences between the two? Celiac disease always involves an autoimmune reaction. It always involves damage in the small intestine. Lastly, celiac disease is always lifelong. There is no cure for celiac and there is no growing out of it.
Main Difference Celiac Disease Vs Gluten Intolerance
Celiac disease and gluten intolerance are two medical conditions which are basically triggered by a protein known as gluten present in cereals such as rye, wheat, and barley. These two terms celiac disease and gluten intolerance are often used interchangeably even by health care professionals due to several common features they share. However, celiac disease is an inherited autoimmune disorder that affects the digestive process of the small intestine whereas gluten intolerance causes the body to mount a stress response which is different from the immunological response that occurs in celiac disease. This is the main difference between celiac disease and gluten intolerance.
This article covers,
1. What is Celiac Disease? Cause, Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Management
2. What is Gluten Intolerance? Cause, Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Management
3. What is the difference between Celiac Disease and Gluten Intolerance?
Recommended Reading: Who Sells Gluten Free Cheesecake
Can Ncgs Become Celiac
If you learn you have NCGS, you might wonder if celiac disease is waiting in the wings. But theres no evidence to support that the two are related.
People with NCGS do not have a higher risk of celiac disease, says Dr. Rubio Tapia. Its natural to worry about this because the two seem like similar conditions. But theyre not connected at all.
Someone Must Be Eating Gluten For Tests To Be Accurate
Basic screening for celiac disease includes a serum TTG IgA and total serum IgA. Total serum IgA needs to be done to rule out IgA deficiency which occurs in about 10% of celiac patients. If IgA deficiency is present, the TTG IgG must be used but is less accurate. Further testing may be needed in those situations.
Some labs include a DGP-IGA and EMA in their celiac screen/panel or do these tests as a reflex. The confirmatory test is an endoscopic biopsy. The biopsy is indicated if tests are positive and are required for diagnosis.
Of note, many celiac centers and practitioners follow a more extensive evaluation process involving screening antibodies, genetic testing, clinical response to a gluten-free diet, and endoscopy. These protocols and other testing algorithms are beyond the scope of this article.
Recommended Reading: Symptoms If Your Allergic To Gluten
Gluten Intolerance Vs Wheat Allergy
When a person has a wheat allergy, their body reacts to a protein in wheat, and this protein is not necessarily gluten.
A wheat allergy can cause life-threatening symptoms. Anyone with this allergy who ingests wheat requires immediate medical attention.
A person with a wheat allergy may develop:
- breathing difficulties, including wheezing
In severe cases, anaphylaxis may develop. This serious reaction causes the bodys blood pressure to fall, and the person may lose consciousness and stop breathing.
While an allergic reaction requires urgent care, an intolerance is not immediately dangerous. However, it can cause discomfort and may affect a persons overall health.
Anyone who believes that they may have either an intolerance or an allergy should consult a doctor.
Learn more about a wheat allergy here.
- some oat products
A person looking to avoid gluten should be sure to check food labels carefully. It may also be a good idea to make soups, sauces, and salad dressings at home.
Products with gluten-free on their labels do not contain enough gluten to trigger symptoms of celiac disease or gluten intolerance. Manufacturers may remove the gluten from wheat flour or use a substitute, such as oat or chickpea flour.
Here, learn more about what a gluten free diet includes.
Find out more about alternatives to wheat bread in this article.
Many fast foods contain gluten, but some major chains are now offering gluten-free options. Learn more about gluten-free fast food here.
Is A Wheat Allergy Related To Ncgs And Celiac Disease
A mild wheat allergy could look like celiac or NCGS, says Dr. Rubio Tapia. But if you have a wheat allergy, you need to avoid wheat completely because allergic reactions can be dangerous. Its important to get a diagnosis dont just assume you have gluten intolerance.
Allergies happen when your immune system attacks something thats usually harmless. If you have a wheat allergy, youll have a reaction anytime you eat something with wheat even a tiny amount. People with severe allergies react to inhaling or smelling wheat, even if they dont eat it.
If you have a wheat allergy and eat something with wheat in it, you may experience:
- Anaphylaxis, a severe, life-threatening reaction that causes swelling and trouble breathing.
- Runny nose, congestion or sneezing.
- Wheezing or asthma attack.
Also Check: Chuy’s Gluten Free Menu
Can You Be Gluten Intolerant And Not Have Celiac Disease
Research shows that many people who have symptoms similar to celiac disease test negative for celiac disease however a gluten-free diet can positively benefit them and reduce discomfort. Its suggested that these people have non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
Whats important to note is that many people presume that they have gluten sensitivity as they experience discomfort after eating wheat, however, at times this may be a sign that you have a food allergy or wheat allergy and are intolerant to something in wheat. If this is the case for you, try a wheat-free diet and cut out bread.
Summary Of The Difference Between Celiac Disease And Gluten Sensitivity
Also Check: Where To Find Gluten Free Oreos
What Are Some Of The Signs And Symptoms Of Celiac Disease
Possible adverse effects associated with celiac disease include bloating, gas or abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, general fatigue, itchy skin, tooth discoloration, joint pain, irritability, weight loss, delayed growth in children, fractures and thin bones, migraines, infertility, miscarriages and an association with other autoimmune diseases.
Many of these celiac disease symptoms may also be associated with non-celiac gluten sensitivity, although usually to a lesser extent.
Prevalence Of Other Diseases
Research indicates that 25 percent of patients with autoimmune diseases have a tendency to develop additional autoimmune diseases.
Because celiac disease is an autoimmune disease, people with celiac disease may have a higher risk of collecting additional autoimmune diseases than someone with gluten sensitivity.
However, its important to note that many researchers say gluten sensitivity is a precursor to autoimmune disease, and Dr. OBryan makes a clear argument for this in his groundbreaking book. This means both disorders, if left unmanaged, put you at higher risk for accumulating additional autoimmune diseases.
Recommended Reading: Is Gluten Free Pizza Keto
Action Steps: Tips For Avoiding Gluten
If you are making the commitment to avoid gluten and truly doing it for all the right reasons, you should get serious about it. You want to really focus on what it means to avoid gluten altogether. This is going to be an adjustment like anything else, but you can do it if you are truly committed. If you make this your mission you can adapt to gluten-free eating in a couple of weeks and hopefully get some relief from your challenging symptoms.
In order to make this your new way of life, here are a few tips to help you in avoiding gluten moving forward.
Gluten-free diets may be all the rage, but you know if its truly right for you. If you focus on doing it for the right reasons then you can get something out of it. If you are trying to manage your symptoms then this may be the diet for you. Understand if you truly have Celiac disease or a gluten intolerance or insensitivity and this comes from an appointment with your doctor.
How To Find Out If You Have Coeliac Disease Or Gluten Sensitivity
If youre experiencing chronic, debilitating gastrointestinal symptoms, you should hightail it to a GI doctor. Many diseases of the gastrointestinal tract have similar symptoms, its difficult to say whether you have celiac disease, gluten sensitivity or something else entirely.
In fact, many celiac and non-celiac gluten sensitivity patients also experience irritable syndrome or other irritable bowel diseases at the same time. The rate of autoimmune diseases in celiac patients is also higher than in the general population.
Testing for celiac disease includes a blood test and an endoscopy to look for damage to the small intestine. An elimination diet for a minimum of two to three weeks can follow those to see if the absence of gluten in the diet helps. If symptoms do improve, some doctors offer a diagnosis of non-celiac gluten sensitivity or NCGS. Others are hesitant to diagnose gluten sensitivity because theres little research to confirm it and treatment available other than a change in diet.
If you find yourself struggling with gluten sensitivities or other food intolerances, alternative supplemental therapies like digestive enzymes and lifestyle and dietary changes can all contribute to improving your overall health While diet changes are essential, there are supplements you can take that can help improve your digestion of foods your body has trouble breaking down or absorbing naturally, like gluten and lactose.
You May Like: Jasons Deli Allergen Menu
Read Also: Whole Foods Gluten Free Pizza Crust
