Gluten Allergy Symptoms

A gluten allergy, or celiac disease as it is known in today's times has varying symptoms that can make it difficult to diagnose. Before we start with the symptoms of this condition let's define what exactly it is. Celiac disease is categorized as an autoimmune disease where introducing gluten into your body causes a reaction of the body actually attacking itself. Should you have allergies to gluten or wheat, your intestines will come under attack resulting in some damage (though the effects are usually minor). However, with repeated exposure to the proteins in gluten the side effects could evolve into something much more serious.

Now that we know what a gluten allergy is, we can explore some of the usual symptoms. It is important to remember that not everyone who is allergic to gluten will have the same symptoms, and some will show very few signs of the condition at all. With that said, some of the usual symptoms are digestive related and include:

  • Indigestion
  • Heartburn
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  • Diarrhea
  • Bloating Gas
  • Abdominal Pain

Gluten allergy symptoms are not reserved strictly for the digestive tract either, as there are many other signs. This is one of the things that can make it a difficult condition to properly diagnose as the symptoms are similar to many other allergies. Here is a list of some of the other common symptoms that can point to you having an allergy to gluten or wheat:

  • Chronic Fatigue
  • Itchy Dermatitis
  • Severe Weight Loss
  • Migraines
  • Stress and/or Depression
  • Hives and/or Swelling

Again, these symptoms are not all inclusive and they can vary from person to person. Obviously if you are feeling any of these symptoms it may or may not be gluten allergies but you should speak with your doctor as soon as you can to have tests performed. Many times the signs will point to another condition, but if your doctor suspects celiac disease then he will likely have one or more tests performed by an allergist to confirm it. These tests can include a blood test initially, but this is usually followed by a biopsy of a small portion of villa from your small intestine. This is currently the most accurate way of determining if you have gluten allergies or not. There currently is no cure for this disease either, but there is a great solution with little side effects. By following a gluten free diet you can eliminate the possibility of a future allergic reaction, and almost immediately start feeling better. Your symptoms will likely subside very rapidly unless your small intestine has suffered damage. Then it may take longer as your body heals, but you will improve with time. As your doctor will tell you, the important thing is to keep gluten out of your diet.

A Quick Note About Your Gluten Allergy

You may not realize it, but gluten allergies are quite common today. Some of the latest studies show that approximately 1 in 167 healthy children and 1 in 111 adults have them. The numbers even rise in people who complain of periodic pain or discomfort in their stomachs.

Should you be professionally diagnosed as having a gluten allergy, realize that there are steps to get your life back to normal. By simply eliminating gluten from your diet you will all but eliminate any symptom you were feeling in the first place. Fortunately there is a lot of information available on the internet on what types of food are acceptable and what types are not. You can easily find a complete diet to follow, and once you get used to living wheat free you will feel like a new person.