Gluten sensitivity

What is Gluten sensitivity

Gluten is a protein found primarily in wheat, barley and rye. If a person has a gluten intolerance, this protein can cause digestive problems such as gassiness, abdominal pain or diarrhea.

Gluten intolerance is sometimes confused with Celiac disease, or thought of as a food allergy . While avoiding particular foods is a treatment strategy for all three, these are not the same conditions.

Food intolerances such as gluten involve the digestive system. With a food allergy, the immune system overreacts to a particular food causing symptoms that are potentially serious or even live threatening. Celiac disease is an inherited autoimmune disorder that can damage the small intestine.

Signs of Gluten sensitivity

Gluten intolerance is a fairly common problem. It is characterized by adverse reactions to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. Celiac disease is the most severe form of gluten intolerance. It is an autoimmune disease that affects about 1% of the population and may lead to damage in the digestive system. However, 0.5–13% of people may also have non-celiac gluten sensitivity, a milder form of gluten intolerance that can still cause problems.

Both forms of gluten intolerance can cause widespread symptoms, many of which have nothing to do with digestion. Here are main signs and symptoms of gluten intolerance.

1- Bloating

Bloating is when you feel as if your belly is swollen or full of gas after you’ve eaten. This can make you feel miserable. Although bloating is very common and can have many explanations, it may also be a sign of gluten intolerance. In fact, feeling bloated is one of the most common complaints of people who are sensitive or intolerant to gluten. One study showed that 87% of people who had suspected non-celiac gluten sensitivity experienced bloating.

2- Diarrhea, Constipation and Smelly Feces

Gluten sensitivity may damages the gut lining and leads to poor nutrient absorption, resulting in significant digestive discomfort and frequent diarrhea or constipation. However, gluten may also cause digestive symptoms in some people who don’t have celiac disease. More than 50% of gluten-sensitive individuals regularly experience diarrhea, while about 25% experience constipation.

Furthermore, individuals with celiac disease may experience pale and foul-smelling feces due to poor nutrient absorption. Frequent diarrhea can cause some major health concerns, such as loss of electrolytes, dehydration and fatigue.

3- Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain is very common and can have numerous explanations.However, it is also the single most common symptom of an intolerance to gluten.

Up to 83% of those with gluten intolerance experience abdominal pain and discomfort after eating gluten.

4- Headaches

Many people experience headaches or migraines once in a while. Migraines are a common condition, with 10–12% of the Western population experiencing them regularly. Interestingly, studies have shown that gluten-intolerant individuals may be more prone to migraines than others.

If you have regular headaches or migraines without any apparent cause, you could be sensitive to gluten.

5- Feeling Tired

Feeling tired is very common and usually not linked to any disease. However, if you constantly feel very tired, then you should explore the possibility of an underlying cause.

Gluten-intolerant individuals are very prone to fatigue and tiredness, especially after eating foods that contain gluten. Studies have shown that 60–82% of gluten-intolerant individuals commonly experience tiredness and fatigue. Furthermore, gluten intolerance can also cause iron-deficiency anemia, which in turn will cause more tiredness and lack of energy.

6- Skin Problems

Gluten intolerance can also affect your skin. A blistering skin condition called dermatitis herpetiformis is the skin manifestation of celiac disease. Everyone who has the disease is sensitive to gluten, but less than 10% of patients experience digestive symptoms that indicate celiac disease.

Furthermore, several other skin diseases have shown improvement while on a gluten-free diet. These include:

  • Psoriasis: An inflammatory disease of the skin characterized by scaling and reddening of the skin.
  • Alopecia areata: An autoimmune disease that appears as non-scarring hair loss.
  • Chronic urticaria: A skin condition characterized by recurrent, itchy, pink or red lesions with pale centers.

7- Depression

People with digestive issues seem to be more prone to both anxiety and depression, compared to healthy individuals. This is especially common among people who have celiac disease.

There are a few theories about how gluten intolerance can drive depression. These include:

  • Abnormal serotonin levels.
  • Gluten exorphins.
  • Changes in the gut microbiota.

8- Unexplained Weight Loss

Unexpected weight loss may be a sign of celiac disease, especially if coupled with other digestive symptoms.

9- Iron-Deficiency Anemia

In celiac disease, nutrient absorption in the small intestine is impaired, resulting in a reduced amount of iron being absorbed from food.

Iron deficiency anemia may be among the first symptoms of celiac disease that your doctor notices. Recent studies suggest that iron deficiency may be significant in both children and adults with celiac disease.

10- Anxiety

Individuals with gluten intolerance seem to be more prone to anxiety and panic disorders than healthy individuals.
Additionally, a study showed that up to 40% of individuals with self-reported gluten sensitivity stated that they regularly experienced anxiety.