9 Symptoms Of Gluten Sensitivity You Should Never Ignore

Oct 24, 2018

Gluten is a mixture of two proteins found in wheat, barley, rye, and other grains. Gluten is considered somewhat dangerous because it can cause significant damage inside your body. Sometimes, those who are gluten sensitive don’t even know how gluten consumption is negatively affecting their bodies. It’s wise to visit your doctor and get checked for gluten intolerance and sensitivity.

Here is a helpful list of the most common symptoms of gluten sensitivity:

Symptoms of gluten sensitivity are most closely associated with your intestines and may include:

• Nausea

• Bloating

• Diarrhea

• Abdominal pain

• Constipation

People tend to assume that these symptoms are indicative of other diseases, and patients are often inaccurately diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome. Studies have confirmed that about ten to fifteen percent of the global population suffers from irritable bowel syndrome. Unfortunately, improper diagnosis can cause people with gluten sensitivity to receive inefficient treatments. Their uncomfortable symptoms, then, do not disappear.

Gluten intolerance can contribute to unexplained weight loss or weight gain. This is caused by inflammatory processes that take place at a cellular level. Changes in weight may also be caused by metabolic disorders, and bring about other unwanted ailments. If your weight fluctuations are accompanied by other symptoms of malabsorption, gluten intolerance is likely the culprit.

Gluten intolerance is directly correlated with hormonal disorders. Hormonal disorders can manifest as irregular menstruation, sudden changes in weight, PMS, or sleep disorders. Hormonal imbalance caused by gluten intolerance can be much more intense during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. These symptoms, of course, are mainly recognized in the female population.

Gluten promotes inflammation and makes your intestines more permeable. Symptoms of gluten sensitivity may include trouble focusing, depression, anxiety, sleeplessness, and fatigue. Some gluten intolerant people report irritability and “spacing out,” or forgetting what they were thinking about.

According to one study, gluten intolerant people are more prone to migraines than those who do not exhibit gluten intolerance. There are a wide variety of headache causes, and it appears that problems with gluten are one of those causes. If you’re sensitive to gluten, you may experience a headache within an hour of eating.

Skin conditions like hair keratosis and herpetiform dermatitis can also be unfortunate effects of gluten intolerance. You might notice unpleasant changes in your skin such as itching or rashes on your hands, face, torso, elbows, buttocks or hairline. You may also notice that your nails are weak and brittle.

Interestingly, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can be worsened by gluten. ADHD can present in children, as well as adults. People with ADHD have a short attention span and lack self-control. A gluten-free diet could potentially help reduce and relieve these symptoms.

In someone who is gluten intolerant, vital minerals, like calcium are not properly absorbed into the intestines. Poor calcium absorption can lead to problems with your teeth. It also contributes to other oral issues, like hypersensitivity of your enamel, tooth decay, cavities, and ulcers. If you take top-notch care of your teeth but still notice some questionable things in your mouth, the problem may be your gluten intake.

One reliable way of diagnosing Celiac disease is the presence of iron deficiency anemia. Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia may include reduced blood volume, fatigue, difficulty breathing, headaches, pale skin, and arthritis. With gluten intolerance, iron is not efficiently absorbed in the intestines, making it very poorly digestible.

People with autoimmune disease frequently experience gluten intolerance. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that causes your immune system to attack your intestine cells when gluten is introduced. Celiac disease increases your risk of developing other autoimmune diseases, such as Crohn’s disease, diabetes, vitiligo, multiple sclerosis, or rheumatoid arthritis.

Get tested. Your doctor can take a blood sample to look for antibodies that are typically seen in people with Celiac disease. Before your visit, you will need to ingest some gluten to provide the most accurate results.

Ditch the gluten. That means cutting out:

• Wheat

• Rye

• Bulgur

• Flour

• Semolina

Always check product labels before you eat and look for the words “gluten-free.”

Have you ever had any symptoms of gluten sensibility? We’d love to hear your story!

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation by your doctor. Your health is important to us!