Gluten intolerance is when you get sick after eating gluten You may feel bloated, bloated, or tired Gluten is a protein found in many foods, particularly wheat Gluten intolerance is also known as non-celiac gluten sensitivity This is not the same as celiac disease or a wheat allergy You may feel tired, nauseous, or bloated Another name for gluten intolerance is non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS)
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and other grains It's found in many common foods and beverages, including pasta, cereal, and beer Gluten is also found in things like vitamins, cosmetics, and even some medicines. Gluten intolerance and celiac disease are different. People with celiac disease have an autoimmune reaction to gluten This means your body is trying to fight off gluten as if it were a virus This reaction causes inflammation and damage in the digestive tract. 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 many of the same symptoms But people with gluten sensitivity don't have the abnormal gene or antibodies in their blood
Anyone can have gluten intolerance, although it's more common in women Some people are born gluten intolerant; others develop it later in life
The exact causes of gluten intolerance are not fully understood Some research shows that people may not be sensitive to gluten, but to a certain carbohydrate found in many foods Their bodies don’t absorb the carbohydrate as they should It stays in their guts and ferments, causing sickness.
Other research suggests that wheat might affect the lining of some people’s digestive tracts This lining usually keeps bacteria from leaking out of your intestines However, in people with gluten intolerance, the mucous membranes may not work properly, allowing bacteria to enter their blood or liver and cause inflammation.
The following symptoms can appear within hours or days of eating gluten: Stomach pain, anemia, fear, gas or bloating. Brain fog or difficulty concentrating, depression ,diarrhea or constipation, fatigue, headache joint pain, nausea and vomiting, skin rash.
Many people with gluten intolerance also suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Your doctor will take a close look at your symptoms and medical history If they suspect you have a gluten intolerance, the following are steps to confirm the diagnosis:
Step 1: You eat a diet containing gluten for about six weeks. During this time, your healthcare provider performs blood tests and skin tests to rule out a wheat allergy or celiac disease. There isn’t a gluten intolerance test.
Step 2: If you don’t have a wheat allergy or celiac disease, your healthcare provider will ask you to exclude gluten from your diet for at least six weeks. Keep a thorough record of your symptoms during this time, noting which (if any) symptoms improve.
Step 3: If your symptoms do improve while you’re on a gluten-free diet, you gradually reintroduce gluten back into your diet. If symptoms return, you likely have a gluten intolerance.
There’s 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 doctor to add probiotics to your diet Probiotics help increase the number of beneficial bacteria in the gut They can reduce symptoms of gas, bloating, or constipation.
Some research suggests that taking certain enzymes may help you digest gluten But experts are still researching this treatment Talk to your doctor before taking enzymes.
Studies show that a gluten-free diet can increase the risk of:
Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) or type 2 diabetes Nutritional deficiencies, such as not enough fiber
There is no way to prevent gluten intolerance, but there are ways to reduce symptoms. Talk to your doctor about the right treatment plan for you. Most people with gluten intolerance find symptom relief with a proper diet. This usually requires lifelong treatment. Symptoms tend to return when you start consuming gluten again
You can treat gluten intolerance in the following ways: Eat a low-fat, high-fiber diet
Regular laboratory tests to check for:
Anemia
High cholesterol
Vitamin and nutritional deficiencies
Learning which foods, drinks and ingredients contain gluten so you can avoid them
Reading food and beverage labels carefully
Gluten is in countless foods, drinks and other products Even if you follow a gluten-free diet, at some point you can accidentally eat gluten. If you experience side effects from accidental exposure to gluten, you may:
Drink plenty of water to cleanse your body.
Eat small meals, not spicy or greasy.
Try ginger or peppermint tea to calm an upset stomach. Some symptoms of gluten exposure can be serious. See a doctor if you have diarrhea or vomiting. Dehydration can lead to a dangerous electrolyte imbalance.
Gluten intolerance can cause nausea after eating gluten You may experience bloating, nausea, or bloating. Gluten intolerance causes the same symptoms as celiac disease, but it's not the same condition Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that affects the digestive tract People with gluten intolerance usually relieve their symptoms by following a gluten-free diet Gluten-free diets come with some health risks It's important to work with your doctor and nutritionist to create the right treatment plan for your needs
Thanks Giving
This article is written and submitted to The E Today by Shrushti Mehta.
We thank her for her research and analysis and hope to see the awareness about health and nutrition being spread ahead to larger mass of our citizens.