Do You Have A Gluten Allergy?
By Stefani Padilla
One of the most common food allergies are wheat and gluten. But just what is a food allergy? Snd is it like food intolerance? Allergies are when the body considers an part in food as harmful, then it starts to protect itself from the intruder (the food).
Evidence of allergies emerge when your body’s immune system releases antibodies to fight the “bad” ingredient. Food intolerance is the reaction of the digestive functions to an irritant, not a function of the immune system.
If your digestive tract can’t adequately breakdown the food, it will create an intolerance. Often times continued exposure to foods can develop into an allergy. Wheat allergy symptoms may include rashes on the skin or hives, nausea, stomach discomfort, diarrhea, itchy skin, eczema, pains in the joints and muscles and in severe cases might create shortness of breath, chest pain, swelling of the air passages, and anaphylaxis.
Symptoms of wheat intolerance may include stomach pain, nausea, cramps, retaining water, gas, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea, headaches, irritability, and an unexplained runny nose or itchy eyes.
Symptoms of gluten allergy include upper repository tract troubles, fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome, sores in the mouth, low iron in the blood, bone loss, loss of weight, smal stature in children, diarrhea, constipation, bloating and other digestive tract troubles, unexplained sadness, Autism and attention issues, dermatological issues, and irritability.
Signs of gluten intolerance may consist of weight loss or increase in weight, mineral insufficiencies, swelling, pain, gas, constipation, diarrhea, aching joints, depression, eczema, headaches, tiredness, irritability as well as behavioral changes, cramping, tingling and numbness, and failure to thrive in babies and children.
Other than severity of symptoms, the differences between allergies and intolerances are that an allergy can be triggered even when a small amount of the offending item is eaten. However, food intolerance is usually related to the amount of food consumed. A minute amount might not cause any reaction, but eating a big, or ingesting the item frequently may create symptoms.
What about Celiac Disease? Celiac disease is similar to gluten intolerance, but the outcome is more severe. With celiac disease, the inner lining of the small intestine has an allergic reaction to the gluten that is present in wheat and other grains such as rye.
This reaction causes the small intestine to become inflamed and reduces absorption of the minerals that process through the small intestine from food. One of the main symptoms of Celiac Disease is gastrointestinal issues that include bloating, gas, cramps, diarrhea and fatty stools.
Eventual signs of malnourishment that can appear as a result of nutrients not being correctly absorbed by the small intestine. Some people who have Celiac Disease can tolerate tiny amounts of gluten, but others may have severe symptoms within several minutes of eating an offending food.
Remedies for wheat and gluten allergy or intolerance and Celiac Disease all necessitate eliminating wheat and gluten from the diet. Elimination of wheat, rye, barley and oats is important. items that contain these items should also be removed. Avoid processed foods and beer, and be cautious with vitamins and supplements that may include gluten as well.
Ms. Padilla is a happily married mom of 4 and a healthy eating advocate. For more information on a great gluten free diet, the Paleo Diet, please visit her website here.
