Gluten Allergy Symptoms Or Is It Something Else?

Gluten allergy symptoms is a term that is often applied to mean the symptoms for gluten intolerance and also celiac disease,which is an autoimmune disease.

We will therefore bring some clarity to this issue as much as space will allow.

Firstly you must know that an allergy is A HIGH SENSITIVITY TO ANYTHING THAT WOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM TO MOST PERSONS.

A gluten allergy then is an immune system reaction within hours or minutes of eating any food containing gluten.

The symptoms of such an allergy would include the following:

1. Hives

2. Asthma

3. Abdominal cramps

4. Nausea and vomiting

Many persons who have this condition as a child would outgrow it.This is an allergic reaction.

However there is another condition which is known as gluten intolerance which is often confused with gluten allergy. This is a more serious condition which will not have the symptoms similar to gluten allergy symptoms. In fact there will be no symptoms after eating gluten until much damage has already taken place.

In this case, the walls of the small intestine are damaged and thus the ability to absorb all foods is impaired.

You will then have gluten intolerance symptoms whenever you consume foods with gluten. Such symptoms include

1. Constipation or Diarrhea

2. Bloating

3. Nausea with or without vomiting

As the inner walls of the small intestine continue to be damaged the symptoms will get worse since your intestine will not be able to digest nutrients from your food, even when you do not eat gluten food.

It therefore brings in its wake malnutrition and all that goes with it, including, immune system problems, brain conditions, and skin ailments, to just name a few.

In this type of situation the symptoms may include the following:

1. Diarrhea

2. Weight loss

3. Constipation

4. Offensive stools

5. Abdominal cramping and bloating

The symptoms in children will include:

1. Impaired or stunted growth

2. Distended abdomen

3. Migraine headaches

4. Poor appetite

Celiac disease is characterized by symptoms which are similar to those cited above for gluten intolerance and may also include severe skin reactions. In celiac disease the body over reacts to the eating of gluten in such a way as to damage the villi, which are the protuberances like fingers in the intestine which absorb nutrients from food. When these are damaged there is progressive malabsorption to the point that all foods are not able to be digested, not just gluten foods.

As you can suspect, not being able to absorb nutrition from food can and does lead to serious problem. Unlike the allergic reactions of gluten allergy, this is not out grown and it does get worse.

A test for Celiac disease may indicate you do not have celiac disease but in many cases there is still gluten intolerance or as some tend to say, gluten allergy symptoms. Medical science is still trying to figure this out.

You may feel that based on the negative celiac disease results you can go and eat rye and barley and wheat and oats. Do not take that chance!

It is felt that in such a case the gluten intolerance may eventually become celiac disease. In the meantime, you should eliminate all traces of gluten from your diet.