Gluten sensitivity is a common gastrointestinal problem related to some people’s diet. If you notice that your body behaves slightly differently after consuming wheat or wheat flour, you may have a gluten allergy.
There is no difference between a gluten allergy and gluten sensitivity. Both terms can be used interchangeably. However, there is a massive difference between coeliac disease and a gluten allergy. Coeliac disease is also caused by gluten protein, but the principle is different.
Hence, it is beneficial to understand the symptoms of a gluten allergy, to ensure this is not confused with coeliac disease. The unmistakable signs of this health condition is necessary to mention to your doctor to perform a gluten allergy test.
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What Are The Initial Signs Of A Gluten Allergy?
There are two main things that one must know before reading the signs of a gluten sensitivity. The first point is that the symptoms of this medical condition have significant similarities to celiac disease. So it isn’t always easy to differentiate.
Hence the antibody level is tested during a gluten allergy test to check whether the antibody level is high or low. If the antibody level is high, then it could indicate coeliac disease signs. Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system makes antibodies against gluten and damages the cells of the intestine.
The next point of concern is the asymptomatic stage of the disease. There are chances that this disease doesn’t show any signs or symptoms at its onset. Although, if you are consistently consuming large amounts of gluten, you may start to experience severe symptoms over time. When this is left untreated, this can cause further, long-term health issues.
However, there are some common signs and symptoms that you should look out for:
Pain in Abdominal Region
The person may develop pain in the tummy due to gas production. The pain can also root from the fact that your immune system is attacking your intestines, and this can range from mild to severe. You may also experience painful bloating and in some cases diarrhoea.
Skin Rash
Like most allergies, a gluten allergy can break your skin out in red, itchy rashes. This only usually occurs when gluten is consumed, but can have longer lasting effects which can become incredibly uncomfortable and painful.
Fatigue
Many people who suffer from this health condition, often find themselves suffering from extreme tiredness. This can root from pain causing sleep disruption which ultimately affects the function of the immune system. Your body can become weak, and tired, making it harder to continue daily tasks.
Anxiety And Depression
It is believed that gluten intolerances and allergies in general, can affect the production of serotonin. This can be linked back to the intolerance’s unpleasant symptoms. Due to the body facing difficulty digesting gluten, this can directly affect the nervous system which can have a knock on effect of raising the risk of depression.
Take-home Message:
If you feel that you have fallen victim to a gluten allergy, you are encouraged to acquire a gluten allergy test. This test will be able to identify an official diagnosis, meaning lifestyle and dietary changes can be made immediately to help symptoms subside. It is important to receive allergy tests as if they are left untreated for long periods of time, they can cause more severe damage and health issues.
