“Gluten free” has become a nutritional buzzword, due in part to popular diets and books that peg a host of health problems on gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, rye and triticale (a wheat-rye hybrid). As a result, many people are eliminating gluten from their diets in the hopes that they will lose weight and feel better.
For the majority of Americans, going gluten free isn’t necessary. However, it is a must for people with celiac disease, an autoimmune condition in which gluten damages the small intestine. In between those groups are people with gluten intolerance, also called non-celiac gluten sensitivity. These people experience negative symptoms when they eat gluten but do not experience the damage to the small intestine caused by celiac disease.
So, how do you know if you are dealing with celiac disease vs. gluten intolerance? It helps to learn the signs and symptoms of both.
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Symptoms of Celiac Disease
The most common digestive symptoms of celiac disease in adults are:
- Bloating
- Chronic fatigue
- Constipation
- Stomach pain
Celiac disease in adults is more likely to cause other health issues than digestive problems. Those include joint pain, headaches, skin rashes, depression, infertility or brittle bones.
Furthermore, when a person with celiac disease eats gluten, the immune system will respond and attack the small intestine’s lining. This affects the body’s ability to absorb nutrients, which may lead to conditions such as anemia or osteoporosis. People diagnosed with celiac disease need to eliminate gluten entirely from their diets. A nutrition counselor can help craft a meal plan.
Signs of Gluten Intolerance
Gluten intolerance can cause the following symptoms when someone eats gluten:
- Bloating
- Depression
- Gas
- Headaches
- Fatigue
Adults with signs of gluten intolerance should avoid or cut back on gluten-containing foods that cause uncomfortable symptoms. Simply avoiding foods with gluten can resolve gluten intolerance.
Does Gluten Intolerance Really Exist?
Many researchers have wondered this. The existence of gluten intolerance is questioned because currently no tests are available to diagnose it.
While more is to be learned about the condition, talk with your physician if you suspect negative digestive symptoms are related to gluten. Your provider may order a blood test to see if you have celiac disease or refer you to a gastroenterologist, who may perform a procedure called an endoscopy to check for inflammation or damage in your small intestine. If either test comes back negative for celiac disease, your provider may suggest you stop eating gluten to see if symptoms improve.
Keep in mind that reactions to gluten aren’t isolated to just gluten intolerance or celiac disease. A wheat allergy will trigger an immune reaction because your body believes the proteins in wheat, including gluten, are harmful. Food allergies are serious and can cause hives, lightheadedness, difficulty breathing and vomiting, all shortly after eating the food. If you think you have a gluten allergy, see an allergist or immunologist for help with treatment and management.
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Did you know that even cosmetics and envelopes contain gluten? Find out how you can live healthier with celiac disease in our free guide, Living With Celiac Disease.