Gluten Intolerance Symptoms

Celiac disease is a digestive disorder. Once considered a rare disease affecting children only, it is now known to be more common, affecting as many as two million Americans alone. It is a genetic disease and those who have a family member is allergic to gluten are at increased risk for it. For some people, the disease is latent until triggered by an event such as pregnancy, childbirth, surgery or extreme stress.



In short, people with this condition have an intolerance to gluten. If they are exposed to gluten, it triggers an allergic reaction in which the body attacks itself, harmful and sometimes the destruction of the villi lining the small intestine.



Symptoms of gluten allergy are similar to those experienced with other food allergies, but can vary widely among individuals. Digestive problems are common with celiac disease, especially among infants and children. They may include abdominal pain and bloating, vomiting, constipation, chronic diarrhea or pale, fat, or smelly stools. Weight loss is common among children as a result of these symptoms. Gluten intolerance can also lead to defects in growth and development.



In adults, symptoms may be more varied. Many of the symptoms can be attributed to other conditions, which explains why it can not be diagnosed immediately. Symptoms may include bone and joint pain, arthritis, anemia, unexplained iron deficiency, fatigue, bone loss and osteoporosis, seizures, tingling or numbness of extremities, mouth ulcers or herpetaformis dermatitis, itchy rash. Women may also experience reproductive problems such as missed menstrual periods, miscarriages or infertility.



Without treatment, intolerance to gluten can cause more severe symptoms. Because the body's response to a gluten allergy is to attack the villi of the small intestine, the body has a reduced ability to absorb nutrients from food. This can lead to malnutrition. liver disease or gastrointestinal cancer may also result.



Many people with celiac disease have other conditions in which the body attacks itself. They may be type 1 diabetes, autoimmune disease of the thyroid, liver disease, autoimmune rheumatoid arthritis, Addison's disease or Sjogren syndrome. These conditions may be other symptoms.



The symptoms of these conditions may include frequent urination, blurred vision or problems, slow healing time, loss or weight gain, jaundice, joint stiffness, muscle weakness or fatigue, the irritability or onset of infection. Many of these conditions have symptoms similar to gluten intolerance, which can mask the underlying allergy to gluten.



Because of various symptoms that come with celiac disease and the likelihood of more serious conditions also occur, you should talk to your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms on a regular basis. A food diary may be useful in the diagnosis of the condition if you can link with symptoms of gluten. Keep in mind that gluten, while generally present in food, is also sometimes in places you might not expect, including vitamins, medicines and balms.



To confirm a diagnosis of a gluten allergy, your doctor may perform blood tests or an intestinal biopsy. Blood tests for antibodies specific breed in patients with intolerance to gluten. If blood tests indicate celiac disease, biopsy is usually performed to confirm the diagnosis. The doctor will take small pieces of the small intestine villi to find damage.