Monday, March 25, 2024
HomeEditor PicksWhat Are The Signs Of A Gluten Allergy

What Are The Signs Of A Gluten Allergy

How Do You Treat Gluten Sensitivity

Signs and Symptoms of Gluten Intolerance

The basic treatment plan for someone who is sensitive to gluten is to completely remove gluten from the diet. Once you start to feel better, and youâve been tested negative for celiac disease, you can add back in small amounts of gluten to your diet. Experiment to see if you can tolerate small amounts of gluten with a more liberal diet. This adds back in key nutrients and can help the stress and financial burden of a strict gluten-free diet.

If you still have symptoms after removing gluten from your diet, try a low FODMAP diet, with the assistance of a dietitian. If symptoms still persist, even after a low-FODMAP and gluten-free diet, please see your gastroenterologist for further exploration.

If you meet the criteria for IBS also, you can consider specific probiotics or a prescription antibiotic specifically for IBS-D with the help of your gastroenterology team.

Common Signs Of An Issue With Gluten

Chances are, you donât have a silent problem with gluten – if you have an issue, your body will tell you! But those signs might be different for everyone, from GI symptoms like gas and bloating to brain fog and headaches. How can all of these be related to just one type of food? Gluten can affect your entire body, especially if you have celiac disease. But those with other gluten-related disorders like gluten intolerance can also feel its effects.

Gluten Sensitivity Without Knowing

Celiac disease and wheat allergy are quite unusual. While the symptoms of celiac disease are quite clear, the ones for gluten sensitivity are more blurry. Therefore, they can affect many people who are not aware that they have this problem, since their symptoms are similar to the ones from other diseases.

Read Also: Can You Take Robitussin With Allergy Medicine

If Your Toddler Has Recently Been Diagnosed With Celiac Disease Its Natural To Feel Scared Apprehensive And Upset

Its easy to imagine worst case scenarios, or to feel confused about how to change your diet. Here are six tips to help ease the initial period after your diagnosis.

Tips for Toddlers Newly Diagnosed with Celiac Disease:

  • Firstly, you shouldnt feel that you cant be sad or upset about not being able to eat your favorite foods anymore. This gets easier over time, but to start with theres no getting away from the fact that its going to be a difficult process.
  • The internet is a wonderful resource for anyone with Celiac disease. Try to read as much as possible about the condition, including the science behind why it happens. If you understand the disease, even if its just the basics, youll find it a lot easier to minimize its impact on your life. Its important to make sure you only use reliable sources though sites such as WebMD and NHS.co.uk are good places to start.
  • There are also a number of books that provide very useful information for newly diagnosed Celiac disease sufferers. Two of these include Gluten Free Diet by Shelley Case and Celiac Disease for Dummies
  • Instead of thinking of all the foods your toddler cant have, try to think of some meals that you can experiment with. This is difficult to start with, but youd be surprised at the variety of gluten free meals you can cook at home.
  • Joint Pain And Arthritis

    5 Common Symptoms of Gluten Intolerance  Paleo Foundation

    Most gluten intolerance patients experience migratory arthritis whereby joint pain and stiffness affect various bones in the body. Unlike other types of arthritis that generally stay in one position only, here symptoms can heighten periodically at different times and even migrate to other positions in the body. Some doctors may rule out autoimmunity as a possible cause by running tests for lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and spondyloarthritis instead. These more often than not come back negative.

    Other standardized medical tests employed for evaluating inflammation include Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate . Sometimes physicians also try ruling out viral or bacterial infections such as Lyme disease, which can closely mimic this condition. Some common symptoms of migratory arthritis apart from joint pain are tendon redness and swelling.

    You May Like: What’s Better For Allergies Claritin Or Zyrtec

    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.

    Who Gets Celiac Disease

    While no one knows exactly why, the following factors place you at greater risk for developing the condition:

    • An immediate family member with celiac
    • Exposure to gluten before 3 months of age
    • Major life event, emotional stress, pregnancy, or surgery in people who are genetically predisposed
    • Type 1 diabetes, thyroid disease, or other autoimmune disease
    • Another genetic disorder such as Down syndrome or Turner syndrome

    You May Like: What’s Better For Allergies Claritin Or Zyrtec

    Final Thoughts On Gluten Intolerance

    We hope this list of common symptoms of gluten intolerance will help you make informed decisions about your dietary choices. Please remember that if you dont have a gluten intolerance, you wont have a problem with gluten and should continue eating it as part of a healthy, balanced diet. Only those with celiac disease or a sensitivity to gluten should eliminate it from their diet.

    See a doctor if you think you have a problem digesting gluten. If you do have a gluten intolerance, you can still eat many healthy foods, as we listed above, so dont get discouraged. A gluten-free diet can still be a tasty, fulfilling one that contains all the essential vitamins and minerals.

    Managing Food Allergies In Children

    Warning Signs of Gluten Intolerance

    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.

    Also Check: What Allergy Medicine Is Stronger Than Zyrtec

    When To See A Doctor

    If you think you might suffer from a gluten- or wheat-related condition, then its important that you talk to your doctor before diagnosing yourself or beginning any treatment on your own. An allergist or gastroenterologist can run tests and discuss your history with you to help reach a diagnosis.

    Its especially important to see a doctor in order to rule out celiac disease. Celiac disease can lead to severe health complications, especially in children.

    Because theres a genetic component to celiac disease, it can run in families. This means that its important for you to confirm if you have celiac disease so you can advise your loved ones to get tested as well. More than 83 percent of Americans who have celiac disease are undiagnosed and unaware they have the condition, according to the advocacy group Beyond Celiac.

    How Is Gluten Intolerance Treated

    Theres no cure for gluten intolerance. But most people find relief from symptoms by following a gluten-free diet. You should work with your healthcare provider and a dietitian to plan your diet.

    You can also ask your healthcare provider about adding probiotics to your diet. Probiotics help increase the good bacteria in your gut. They may reduce symptoms of bloating, gas or constipation.

    Some research suggests that taking certain enzymes may help you digest gluten. But experts are still investigating this treatment. Talk to your healthcare provider before taking any enzymes.

    Recommended Reading: Difference Between Loratadine And Fexofenadine

    Celiac Or Lactose Intolerance

    Celiac disease damages the inner lining of the small intestine, and that may lead to difficulty digesting lactose, a sugar found in milk and milk products. Following a gluten-free diet allows the intestine to recover, and people with celiac disease may discover that they are able to digest lactose once again.

    Symptoms Related To Gluten Allergy & Intolerance

    Common Gluten Allergy Symptoms in Kids Explained

    Gluten intolerance, which is also known as gluten sensitivity or allergy, can affect many of the bodys systems besides the digestive tract. Gluten intolerance is known to cause immune system, musculoskeletal, neurological, endocrine, metabolic, dental and dermatological problems. Gluten intolerance can also affect energy levels, cognitive ability, mood and disposition. Signs of gluten allergy can also occur, including: bloating, angry disposition, projectile vomiting, mental fog, hair loss, low bone density, cold sores, elevated liver enzymes, dental enamel defects, itching, dark circles under eyes, itching, weight loss, weight gain, and edema.

    Read Also: How To Know If You Have Dust Allergies

    You Have A Known Food Intolerance

    Food intolerance is said to affect up to 10% of people.

    A reaction occurs when an individuals threshold to particular food chemicals or compounds is surpassed.

    Anecdotal evidence indicates it is quite common for someone with a food intolerance to also be highly sensitive to gluten.

    Note that those who dont tolerate gluten-containing foods should also consider FODMAPs as a trigger for symptoms.

    How Is Celiac Disease Treated

    Celiac disease is treated by not eating gluten. This can be hard because gluten is in many foods, but a dietitian can help adjust someone’s diet to cut out gluten. It is important not to start a gluten-free diet unless you are truly diagnosed with celiac disease.

    Following a gluten-free diet allows the small intestine to heal. But that doesn’t mean the person can start eating gluten again. For someone with celiac disease, gluten will always irritate the intestines and, if this happens, the diarrhea, belly pain, and other problems will return.

    If you’re diagnosed with celiac disease, it can be a challenge to learn which foods contain gluten. You may not be able to remember them all, but you can keep a list with you and ask about menu items at restaurants before digging in. Before you know it, you’ll be a pro at knowing which foods are safe and which are not.

    You May Like: What Allergy Medicine Is Stronger Than Zyrtec

    Gluten Intolerance: Foods To Eat And Foods To Avoid

    With the gluten intolerance symptoms checklist out of the way, you now need to plan your diet to be sure that no gluten in any form enters your body.

    To do so, your mind should be clear about the foods you can take and the foods that have to be avoided.

    Thus, here weve got a few examples laid down to help you plan your eating routine.

    Firstly, well talk about the foods that you can eat.

    How To Test For Gluten Intolerance

    5 Signs and Symptoms of Gluten Intolerance

    I have found the single best ways to determine if you have an issue with gluten is to go through an elimination diet and take it out of your diet for at least 2 -3 weeks and then reintroduce it. Please note that gluten is a very large protein and it can take months and even years to clear from your system so the longer you can eliminate it from your diet before reintroducing it, the better. The best advice that I share with my patients is that if they feel significantly better off of gluten or feel worse when they reintroduce it, then gluten is likely a problem for them. In order to get accurate results from this testing method, you must eliminate 100% of the gluten from your diet.

    Read Also: Mayo Clinic Allergies

    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.

    How Do You Test For Gluten Intolerance

    Your doctor might recommend trying a gluten-free diet to see if you do have a gluten intolerance. Keep in mind that other conditions, such as celiac disease and wheat allergies, can cause similar symptoms. If eliminating gluten from your diet eases your symptoms, this usually indicates gluten intolerance. Your doctor can test for wheat allergies or celiac disease if needed.

    Also Check: What Allergy Medicine Is Stronger Than Zyrtec

    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.

    So Youre Gluten Intolerant What Now

    5 Common Symptoms of Gluten Intolerance  Paleo Foundation

    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
    • Beer
    • Einkorn
    • Kamut
    • 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

    In addition to food and beverages, gluten can also be found in the following products:

    • Lipstick, lip gloss, and lip balm
    • Nutritional supplements such as vitamins and herbs
    • Drugs and over-the-counter medications

    If possible, you can ease into removing gluten entirely by slowly reducing your consumption to get a better sense of how it makes your body feel. Keeping a food journal is helpful during this transition, so you can make note of the foods that trigger the most serious reactions.

    Heres some good news: Because of the response by grocers, restaurants, and food companies, there is now a wide variety of products and menu items to choose from that are gluten-free. And while it may take some trial and error to find what works for you, its worth putting in the time, so you can start feeling better as soon as possible.

    Also Check: Non Drowsy Claritin

    What Is Gluten Intolerance

    Gluten intolerance, which is sometimes also referred to as non-celiac gluten sensitivity , is a set of uncomfortable symptoms that you experience after consuming gluten.

    The most severe form of gluten intolerance is an autoimmune condition called Celiac disease. It makes it difficult for your gut to absorb nutrients and is estimated to affect close to 1% of the population and about 1 in 141 Americans, though many cases are undiagnosed.

    Unlike Celiac disease, gluten intolerance does not cause long-term damage to your gut lining. It is estimated to be much more common than Celiac disease, affecting an estimated 18 million Americans.

    Common symptoms of gluten intolerance may include:

    • Constipation or diarrhea

    • Lack of ability to think clearly

    Indigestion And Related Symptoms

    In addition to the celiac disease-specific symptoms, you might also experience common indigestion symptoms seen with non-celiac gluten sensitivity. These include:

    • Bloating and gas
    • Nausea and vomiting
    • Fatigue

    You might be able to tell whether you are at risk for celiac disease if these symptoms become particularly painful or if they dont stop even after not eating gluten products for a while.

    Read Also: Allergy Medicine Pills

    How To Know If You Suffer Gluten Intolerance

    First, avoid eating products that can contain gluten for 60 days. To do so, it is not enough to just stop eating bread and pasta with gluten. Lets not forget that gluten is also a food additive in many processed products. Therefore, read the product label carefully. Moreover, you will have to order a gluten-free meal if you go to a restaurant.

    It may be difficult to give up the products that you usually eat as well as the belief that whole bread is always healthy.

    How To Treat Gluten Intolerance

    Signs and Symptoms of Gluten Intolerance

    Eliminating gluten 100% from your diet means 100%. Even trace amounts of gluten from cross-contamination or medications or supplements can be enough to cause an immune reaction in your body. The 80/20 rule or we dont eat it in our house, just when we eat out is a complete misconception. An article published in 2001 states that for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity eating gluten just once a month increased the relative risk of death by 600%.

    Read Also: Non Drowsy Allergy Pills

    Is Gluten Good Or Bad

    Gluten is a protein found in wheat. No scientific evidence exists to support benefits to eliminating gluten from ones diet unless a person suffers from gluten intolerance or celiac disease. Some estimates show that sales of gluten-free products have grown by as much as 70%, which means most people have gone gluten-free for reasons unrelated to health.

    According to a recent poll by The NDP Group, 30% percent of adults admitted that they wanted to cut down or be free of gluten. However, since whole wheat constitutes the majority of our dietary fiber, many scientists and doctors have raised concerns about nutritional deficiencies associated with a gluten-free diet.

    The average American diet is deficient in fiber, says Dr. Leffler, an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. He adds, take away whole wheat and the problem gets worse.

    So, if you do have a gluten intolerance, how can you tell? The best way to find out is to have your doctor do some tests for a wheat allergy and celiac disease. However, if those come back negative, your doctor may prescribe a gluten elimination diet. You should keep track of the foods you eat in a journal to see what triggers your symptoms. Pay attention to how you feel after eating certain foods and when the symptoms occur.

    If you have most of the symptoms on this list, you probably have a gluten intolerance. Make sure to see a doctor as soon as possible so he or she can diagnose you and offer solutions.

    RELATED ARTICLES

    Most Popular