FacebookOnce nothing more than an ingredient that gives bread its fluffy texture, for those with Gluten Sensitivity or Celiac Disease, gluten has been transformed into a gastronomic rival. Individuals all over the world are fleeing toward the gluten free diet, regardless of any medical complication to necessitate the change. The fact is that there’s a lot of misinformation out there about gluten and gluten sensitivity.
The first thing you need to know is that gluten by itself isn’t inherently problematic. The problem is that some people are sensitive to it. Gluten sensitivity is a term used to describe individuals who experience celiac disease-like symptoms triggered by an adverse reaction to gluten.
Read on to learn the specific symptoms of gluten sensitivity.
What is Gluten Sensitivity?
Gluten is a type of protein found in wheat, barley, and rye – it is what gives bread its spongy texture and helps bind ingredients together in many baking recipes. Though not inherently dangerous, gluten can cause negative reactions in people who are sensitive to it and in individuals who have an autoimmune condition called celiac disease. Gluten sensitivity shares many symptoms with celiac disease, though there are a few key differences.
The most common symptoms of gluten sensitivity include:
- Abdominal pain, often with a burning sensation
- Nausea and vomiting
- Flatulence or gurgling
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Fatigue or numbness in the arms and less
- Muscle cramps and joint pain
- Headaches or migraines
- Lightheadedness or fainting
- Swollen tongue
- Recurrent skin problems like eczema
Though gluten sensitivity and celiac disease share many common symptoms, there is one key difference: there is no autoimmune reaction. Diagnosing gluten sensitivity usually involves ruling out other conditions because the term itself is not well-defined within the medical community and there are no diagnostic markers for this particular condition.
How Does it Differ from Celiac Disease?
The primary difference between gluten sensitivity and celiac disease is that there is no negative immune reaction. What does that mean? Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that affects roughly 1 in 133 people in the United States. It is a hereditary autoimmune disorder of the small intestine triggered by gluten. When a person with celiac disease ingests gluten, the body identifies it as a foreign invader and launches an immune response that ends up damaging the villi lining the small intestine.
People with untreated celiac disease may not develop symptoms immediately. It takes time for the autoimmune reaction to damage the lining of the small intestine, but it will eventually impact nutrient uptake which leads to symptoms like brain fog, joint pain, and chronic fatigue. People with gluten sensitivity tend to develop a reaction more quickly, often hours or days after ingestion. When the reaction to gluten is severe, some medical professionals use the term intolerance rather than sensitivity.
How is Gluten Sensitivity Treated?
Sometimes referred to as non-celiac gluten sensitivity, this condition is best treated with a gluten free diet. Expert opinions vary on how strictly to follow the diet, however. Some suggest that a 100% compliance is the only way to treat the condition while others say occasional gluten ingestion may not do any harm. It really depends on the individual.
According to Dr. Schär, a trial gluten free diet is recommended in most cases of non-celiac gluten sensitivity. If symptoms improve over a two-week period then recur after introducing gluten, the diagnosis can be confirmed. In some cases, patients with non-celiac gluten sensitivity can successfully introduce small amounts of gluten into their diet after a year or two of following a strict gluten free diet. This is not the case with celiac disease – a lifelong gluten-free diet is the only treatment.
Though scientific information about gluten sensitivity is still being developed, it is clear that some individuals simply don’t tolerate gluten as well as others. If you’re struggling with any of the symptoms listed above, talk to your doctor about your concerns and to have the necessary testing done to rule out celiac disease on the road to confirming a diagnosis of gluten sensitivity.
