Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. MayoClinic.com says that an allergy to gluten is a digestive disorder known as celiac disease. Celiac disease is an immune disorder. When folks with celiac disease eat foods with gluten, their immune system attacks the intestines causing damage, which leads to malabsorption of nutrients. The University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center says that over 200 symptoms of gluten allergy exist. Some people with the allergy do not show any symptoms at all.
Digestive Symptoms
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIDDK say researchers are investigating why symptoms are so varied, and have concluded it may relate to the length of time mothers breast-feed infants, the age parents or caregivers introduced gluten in a child's diet and the amount of gluten foods they consumed. According to NIDDK, digestive symptoms occur more commonly in infants and children than adults. Digestive symptoms of gluten allergy include abdominal pain and bloating, chronic diarrhea, vomiting and constipation.
Malabsorption Symptoms
The University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center says children will more likely show signs of malabsorption with a gluten allergy. Malabsorption of nutrients in children proves very serious and can lead to issues with growth and development, delayed puberty, failure to thrive in infants, short stature and dental defects of permanent teeth. Symptoms of malabsorption for a gluten allergy include pale or foul smelling stool, oily looking stool, weight loss, chronic diarrhea, failure to thrive, osteoporosis, and anemia, says MayoClinic.com.
Less Obvious Symptoms
According to NIDDK, adults prove less likely to have digestive symptoms with a gluten allergy. The University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center says the most common symptom seen in adults with gluten allergy is iron deficiency anemia that does not respond to iron supplementation. The university also recommends gluten allergy testing if a close relative has celiac disease. Other less obvious symptoms of a gluten allergy include irritability, depression, joint pain, muscle cramps, skin rash, mouth sores, dental and bone disorders including osteoporosis and osteopenia, tingling in the legs and feet, arthritis, fatigue, seizures, missed menstrual periods, infertility, recurrent miscarriages, canker sores, liver and biliary tract disorders, and a skin rash called dermatitis herpetiformis, says MayoClinic.com.
