Gluten Sensitivity Symptoms
Cakes, bread, and pastries are popular all over the world and for some very good reasons. Unfortunately for some, these are foods that are off the menu. The reason is that these foods usually contain wheat, and wheat usually contains gluten. Gluten is a type of protein that some people are very sensitive to.
People who are sensitive to gluten can experience a range of unwelcome symptoms if the protein is in food that they eat. There is no cure for the condition as yet, and people that are sensitive to gluten will usually need to be sure that they have no gluten present in their food.
1. Abdominal Pain
Of all the symptoms that gluten sensitivity causes, abdominal pain is probably the most common of all. Indeed, around 83% of all people with gluten sensitivity will experience pain in the abdomen area after they have eaten gluten. Another very common symptom caused by the condition is bloating. Bloating occurs as a result of more than usual gas being produced during digestion. This gas will often have nowhere to go, and the pressure will gradually build up, causing the bloating sensation. Bloating can be uncomfortable for the patient, but the excess gas will pass out of the body eventually. Medication is available that can help relieve these symptoms.
2. Diarrhea
Diarrhea is, unfortunately, a fairly common condition and most people will experience it from time to time. It is thankfully not serious and the symptoms should not last for long. It is a symptom that will be experienced quite often by people who are sensitive to gluten. Although not usually serious, diarrhea can sometimes lead to problems like malnutrition and dehydration.
Because the patient has difficulty absorbing nutrients, they will also often find that their feces are smelling a lot worse than usual. Some people with a gluten insensitivity will also sometimes become constipated, but medication is available that will usually help with this.
3. Brain Fog
We all have days where our brains are just not working at their best. Sometimes, we may not be able to put our finger on exactly why it is, but at other times we will have a much clearer idea of what is causing it. Brain fog is a symptom where we are unable to think clearly, and it is a symptom of a gluten sensitivity.
Many people with a gluten sensitivity can also find that they experience headaches after having eaten gluten. They might also sometimes experience migraines, which can be very uncomfortable indeed for the patient. You should see a doctor if you experience these symptoms regularly.
4. Fatigue
Everybody gets tired; it is entirely normal so it is nothing to be worried about. If, however, you are constantly feeling tired regardless of how much rest you get, then it is something you should consider getting checked out. It can be caused by a wide range of medical conditions, and gluten sensitivity is one of them.
In addition to feeling tired all of the time, patients with gluten sensitivity will also sometimes find that they experience aches and pains in their joints and muscles. This is thought to be caused by inflammation caused by a reaction to gluten. It is also thought that people with a gluten sensitivity can have oversensitive nervous systems.
5. Weight Loss
If you are having difficulty keeping your weight down, then losing a lot of weight quickly might sound like a great thing. This is not often the case, however. Anybody that does lose weight should do so in a controlled manner otherwise the weight loss may be unhealthy for them.
If you are losing weight and you don’t know why then this is another reason to be concerned. It can be down to a number of reasons, one of which is sensitivity to gluten. Because the condition is causing a number of digestive problems for the patient, it means that they are unable to absorb the nutrition they need, causing them to lose weight.
6. Anemia
Our red blood cells are able to carry oxygen thanks to the presence of iron. This is a part of what gives our blood its distinctive red color. We get the iron that we need and, thankfully, there is plenty of it present so getting enough is not usually a problem. Some people, however, can struggle to get the iron they need regardless of how much they ingest.
Gluten sensitivity can cause problems with the digestive system that make it harder for the patient to absorb nutrients, and this includes iron. Not having enough iron in the body will cause a condition known as iron deficiency anemia. Thankfully, this condition is not usually serious and is usually easy to treat.
7. Numb Limbs
Neuropathy refers to the damage of the nervous system away from the brain, and one of the most common symptoms of the condition is numbness. It happens because the damage to the nerves means that messages are not able to travel to and from the brain as they would usually be able to.
Patients with a sensitivity to gluten can experience numb limbs as a symptom of their condition. It is not known exactly why this happens, but it is thought that it might be something to do with the presence of antibodies that are associated with a sensitivity to gluten. Some people will also feel a tingling sensation.
8. Dermatitis Herpetiformis
Dermatitis herpetiformis is a skin condition that only occurs in people who have problems with gluten. It happens because some people develop an immune reaction to the gluten, and this results in the release of IgA antibodies. These antibodies can accumulate just beneath the skin, and this results in the symptoms experienced.
Dermatitis herpetiformis can cause quite a nasty and unsightly rash that can result in blisters on the skin. There is no cure for the condition, but medication is available that can help to soothe the symptoms. Some other skin conditions like psoriasis have also shown improvement in people who switch to a gluten-free diet.
9. Autoimmune Disorders
Celiac disease, which is the worst form of gluten sensitivity, is a type of autoimmune disorder. This means that the patients own immune system is attacking them, despite our immune system having evolved to protect us. People with other autoimmune disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease, are more likely to develop celiac disease.
Not all people with gluten sensitivity have celiac disease, and there is no apparent link to other autoimmune conditions for these people. If you do have problems when you eat gluten, you should find out if it is celiac disease if you have not done so already.
10. Depression
It is well known that there is a link between your mental health and the health of your digestive system. Thus, people that have digestive problems because of gluten sensitivity are more prone to developing depression than other people are. Many have claimed that their depression improved after moving on to a gluten-free diet. It also appears that people with a sensitivity to gluten are more likely to suffer from anxiety.
This is a potentially crippling condition that can leave people feeling very nervous for no apparent reason. People with conditions like these should find professional assistance if they have not done so already.
