Gluten intolerance is a major discomfort that several gluten-intolerant individuals experience. There are more than 55 diseases that have been linked to gluten, the protein found in wheat barley and rye. It is estimated that 99% of the individuals who are suffering from gluten intolerance or celiac disease happen to go diagnosed. It is also estimated that a significant population of the USA is glucose intolerant. So, it is necessary to identify the symptoms and diagnose the gluten intolerance to alleviate or avoid the discomfort resulting due to it. Scroll down to learn all about it.
What is Gluten?
Gluten is a protein present in wheat barley and rye. When it is consumed by people who are glucose intolerant, it can cause variety of adverse reactions. The most severe form is the celiac disease which is an autoimmune disorder that causes the body to attack the healthy intestinal tissue when gluten is present. Less severe form of gluten intolerance is not autoimmune-related. However, they may present with some symptoms as that of celiac disease. Anyone can be glucose intolerant but you have the higher risk if you have a family history of glucose intolerant or have autoimmune disorder such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or Addison’s disease. Gluten intolerance can occur at any time in a person’s life.
10 Warning Signs That Tell You Can Be Gluten Intolerant:
Here are some symptoms that indicate you are glucose tolerant.
- Digestive issues, such as gas bloating and constipation. Constipation, particularly in children, occurs after eating gluten.
- Fatigue or brain fog: Feeling tried after eating a meal that contains gluten.
- Diagnosis of autoimmune disease: Rheumatoid arthritis or ulcerative colitis lupus psoriasis or multiple sclerosis.
- Neurologic symptoms: Feeling dizziness or being off balance
- Migraine headaches
- Keratosis Pilaris, which is also known as chicken skin, appear on the back of your arms. It can be a result of fatty acid deficiency and vitamin A deficiency secondary to fat malabsorption resulting due to gut being damaged due to gluten.
- Hormonal imbalance: This includes PMS, PCOS, or unexplained infertility.
- Chronic fatigue or chronic fibromyalgia: Chronic fibromyalgia or chronic pain in the body can be a warning sign of gluten intolerance.
- Inflammation: The swelling of fingers, hips, and knees
- Mood issues: These include mood swings, anxiety, and depression.
How to Test for Gluten Intolerance?
The best way to determine if you are intolerant to gluten is to do an elimination gluten diet from your diet for at least 2-3 weeks and then reintroduce it. Please note that gluten is a very large protein and it takes months and even years to eliminate from your system. So longer you eliminate it from the body, before reintroducing it, is the better. The best observation is that the patients feel better when significantly off gluten or feel worse when they reintroduce it and then gluten is likely a problem for them. To get accurate results from this testing method, you must eliminate 100% gluten from your diet. The discomforting symptoms of gluten intolerance may differ from person to person, and this often makes diagnosing it difficult. Individuals suffering from celiac disease, the most severe form of glucose intolerance, may wait for an average of 6 to 10 years for the correct diagnosis of the condition. The most common symptoms of glucose intolerance are gastrointestinal issues, but the condition may be present as chronic fatigue and weight loss. If you suspect that you have glucose intolerance, you must know the signs and symptom and your doctor should correctly diagnose the condition.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms:
Symptoms of glucose intolerance can be present in various parts of the body, but gastrointestinal symptoms are some of the most common symptoms, particularly in children and infants. Examples include abdominal pain, gas, bloating, diarrhoea, decreased appetite, nausea, and vomiting. Because many of these gastrointestinal symptoms are present in other conditions and diseases, such as Crohn’s disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, lactose intolerance, and inflammatory bowel disease, diagnosing gluten intolerance can be challenging. Individuals often present with different signs and symptoms making diagnosis even more difficult. One person may have constipation and bloating and other may experience intermittent diarrhoea or no gastrointestinal symptoms at all.
Treatment for Gluten Intolerance:
There is no cure for gluten intolerance, but you can manage the condition through proper diet. Once the doctor diagnoses you with gluten intolerance, following a gluten-free diet that do not contain any sources of gluten including wheat, barley, and rye can help. It is also advisable to avoid food derivates of gluten comprising grains. Generally, all fresh vegetables, fruits, and dairy products are gluten-free. Although you should look at the gluten-free ingredient list of foods to be sure of. Once you stop consuming gluten, your body will repair any intestinal damage although it may take up to 2 -3 years depending upon the severity.
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