Gluten Intolerance Symptoms – How Do You Know If Gluten Is Making You Sick?
What are gluten intolerance symptoms? Are people with gluten intolerance just fussy eaters with a new excuse for their picky food habits?
Research shows that gluten sensitivity in some form, including celiac disease and mild gluten intolerance, affects approximately 15% of the US population. These statistics are likely to be similar in Western countries with similar health issues and dietary patterns. Are you one of these people? How do you recognize gluten intolerance symptoms?
First of all let’s identify the difference between celiac disease and gluten intolerance. Celiac disease is an immune reaction, a severe sudden onset allergic reaction, to the protein called gluten. This is commonly found in grains such as wheat, rye, barley and oats. While celiac disease is initially an auto-immune disorder, it is also a disease of malabsorbtion, because essential nutrients are not absorbed. Therefore one of the most devastating symptoms of long-term undiagnosed celiac disease is malnutrition.
Gluten intolerance often has a slower onset than celiac disease, and may be hard to diagnose due to the broad range of symptoms and causes.
If you imagine a continuum of gluten intolerance symptoms, celiac disease is usually at the most extreme end with immediate autoimmune reactions. Some people with celiac disease may not have symptoms, but internally malabsorbtion and malnutrition can erode health over many years. Both celiac disease and gluten intolerance can be exacerbated by emotional stress, infection, surgery, pregnancy and childbirth. Every individual with some level of gluten intolerance or allergy may experience different shades of symptoms, hence the challenge for medical practitioners to diagnose.
So what are the specific symptoms of gluten intolerance and
celiac disease?
- Weight loss or weight gain
- Nutritional deficiencies due to malabsorbtion e.g. low iron levels
- Gastro-intestinal problems (bloating, pain, gas, constipation, diarrhea)
- Fat in the stools (due to poor digestion)
- Aching joints
- Depression
- Eczema
- Head aches
- Exhaustion
- Irritability and behavioural changes
- Infertility, irregular menstrual cycle and miscarriage
- Cramps, tingling and numbness
- Slow infant and child growth
- Decline in dental health
Undiagnosed for long periods of time, food intolerances have been found to contribute to diabetes, bowel cancer, anemia and osteoporosis.
Why are gluten intolerance symptoms so varied?
It is still a bit of a mystery; gluten intolerance and allergies affect adults and children in a variety of ways, but we do know that the less stress the better.
Anecdotal evidence suggests emotional trauma and stress play a large role in worsening of symptoms. Some studies have shown that there is a lower chance of developing celiac disease, the longer a baby is breastfed; the later they started eating gluten containing foods and the less gluten containing foods they ate. However completely avoiding gluten through pregnancy and in a child’s younger years may also increase allergic reaction, as the developing digestive system does not recognize the substance at all. Perhaps a moderate approach is best when preventing celiac disease, especially if there is a genetic predisposition. Mother might reduce but not eliminate gluten foods when pregnant, breastfeed for a longer than average period, and introduce low gluten grains as first foods for baby.
How to diagnose celiac disease and gluten intolerance?
Until recently it was challenging to diagnose celiac disease because the symptoms are varied and similar to other diseases. For example, crones disease, chronic fatigue, iron deficiency, irritable bowel syndrome and intestinal infections can all have similar symptoms. In fact there may be a cross over between gluten intolerance and some of these illnesses; an individual may have a combination of issues worsened by unsuitable food choices.
Now doctors test for raised levels of certain auto-antibodies in their blood. These antibodies are produced when the body senses a dangerous intruder allergen, like gluten. If the results indicate an allergy to gluten the doctor may perform a small intestine biopsy. This will reveal the damage to the villi in the small intestine. It is important to eat an ordinary diet including gluten, before being tested.
Author: Anna Wilde
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I have celiac and do my best to stay gluten free. Occasionally I get rashes that last for several days. Any recommendations for ointments or topical treatments is greatly appreciated. Thanks
Is your rash itchy? There are lotions like Eucerin itch relief that could provide relief.
Where does the rash appear?
In the past few years I have steeply developed a harsh gluten intolerance. I am sixteen years old. Going from eating an entire pizza to myself to not even being able to have a bite of bread without feeling the consequences is a rough deal, I really cannot stand this Celiac disease bullshit. It is such a hindrance to even go out anywhere, because you know that as soon as you’re handed a menu at a restaurant, that half the menu is off limits due to your useless body that can’t digest a carbohydrate as common as gluten, for christ’s sake.
I feel sorry for anyone else that has to deal with this.
Hi Sam. Welcome!
It does make life difficult, that’s for sure. But it is a great thing that there are so many more food choices coming on the market every week and that there is a new awareness about gluten intolerance.
My daughter who is a 16 year old type 1 diabetic has all of a sudden developed an internal itch in her feet, legs, hands and tummy. Wondering if anyone has had similar sensations who also suffers from type 1 diabetes
SAM! I HEAR U!!!
Its ridiculous!
I have found a great cream for itchy skin, it really works.
Renew™ Intensive Skin Therapy
http://www.melaleuca.com/ProductStore/ProductSubCategory.aspx?id=79
You also need to drink LOTS of water and apply this lotion after your shower or bath.
To Sam,
I have a mild gluten intolerance, maybe you should have a positive mindset? Maybe it’s a blessing in disguise and it’s your body’s way of telling you to eat healthier. If you stick to a more organic diet, you won’t even have to worry about gluten.
Even people who don’t have celiac disease will avoid gluten, it’s a filler. I know for myself I’m glad I have a gluten intolerance instead of a brain tumour… it could be a lot worse!
my daughter is 21 and has been lactose intolerance for my years and now is gluten intolerance it is very hard to my food for her if you need to use soup in a recipe its got MSG or wheat or dairy in it is there a book out there that shows how to substitute foods that she can not have . thank you
Try pure coconut oil for skin itching and rashes. Health food stores carry it, it’s inexpensive and works!
for rash i recomend Mexana powder (polvo mezana)..i had a rash that no doctor cured after i came back from a cruise. i am gluten intolorance. so my momma told me about this powder. they sale it in farmacy, walmart ect. so i tried it..God it really worked. it works also for babies summer rashes btter than any other baby powder. mexana is a medicated powder sold over the counter..Mary
oh and podwer mexana also works and used for deorent. i mean works better than a deoroent. can u beleive that???
I’ve never heard of it. I’ll have to look it up! Interesting!
When I was a baby, I was very ill and if it wasn’t for the celiac diet, I might not be here due to malnutrition. I grew out of it as a really young child. When my little brother was born, he had the same problems but thankfully as I was the previous gineau pig, they knew what to do with him and he too grew out of it (my older brother never had intolerance of gluten issues). When my dad quit smoking at age 40, he developed all of the same symptoms as my brother and I had and was ill for many years (until he decided to take up smoking again, however he never had any previous issues with gluten intolerance until he quit smoking). I often wonder if I still have intolerance issues with gluten and wonder if anyone else out there has ever experienced anything quite similar to this.
I am curious if I am intolerant to gluten. Ever since I can remember, I have had weight issues and now, after having my children, even when I work out, I don’t lose body fat, only inches. After 5 months of working out, 4 days a week, 2 hours each time, my body fat % is still the same. Also, I find myself, irritable, down (not depressed but down), tired, foggy brain, mild headaches all the time, I have low iron too (diagnosed by a doctor), high cholesterol,
and inflammation (hands, feet are inflammed and the skin on my face isn’t the best either).
I don’t over eat, but do have whole wheat pasta, oatmeal, cereals, etc…daily.
I am wondering if anyone who has been diagnosed with gluten intolerance has these say symptoms, and would you have any recommendations.
Thanks
I had trouble with gluten, and did not know it. When I was little I can remember not liking cerial, it made me feel funny. No one believed me. I do not over eat, and gain weight on diets, like weight watchers. I tried the atkins diet a couple of years ago and lost weight fast. I noticed when I started eating gluten again I started getting itchey again, I did not notice I was not itchey when on the diet. I am following a no gluten diet now. I still eat like I want but no gluten at all. I am loosing weight again about 1.5 lbs a week, and I noticed again my skin is not itchey. I am thinking I am going have to stay gluten free for the rest of my life. This is sometimes hard but to not itch is great.
to Caroline:
My daughter’s hands itched after eating chocolate and mine itch after too much chocolate or pineapple. I assume we am sensitive to these foods. Take stock of the diet, you may find the culprit, good luck.
Jill