Lupus and Celiac disease, the sensitivity to gluten, are both conditions that present varying signs and symptoms. Each can be difficult to diagnose. Sometimes, however, doctors or patients mistake one condition for the other. However, trying a gluten-free diet, if you have been diagnosed with Lupus, may alleviate some symptoms and can do you no harm.
Lupus
Lupus is an autoimmune disease. Your immune system should attack viruses and bacteria, but with Lupus, it begins to attack the healthy tissue in your body. Since Lupus can attack any part of your body, the signs and symptoms vary and may mimic other diseases. Common problems include skin rashes, joint pain, fatigue and neurological disturbances. Lupus can be diagnosed with a series of blood tests.
Celiac Disease
Gluten intolerance, or Celiac disease, is a digestive condition that sets off an immune response. Your small intestine is unable to absorb gluten and may begin to be damaged by your body's reaction. Although this response frequently causes diarrhea and abdominal pain, according to MayoClinic.com, Celiac disease does not always show gastrointestinal symptoms. It can cause skin rashes, joint pain, fatigue and neurological disturbances and is often mistaken for other conditions.
Similarities and Differences
Both Lupus and Celiac disease are diagnosed by blood tests. Researchers in Sheffield, England noted a similarity in the antibodies found in the blood of Lupus and Celiac patients. In a study published in the journal "Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases" in 2004, the researchers documented three cases where a misdiagnosis had been made. Both conditions present with widely varying symptoms; and both cause raised immunity and inflammatory markers in blood tests. The Sheffield researchers suggest considering the possibility of gluten intolerance before making a diagnosis of Lupus.
Treatments
Lupus is treated with corticosteroids and immunosuppressant drugs which, although effective, can have severe long-term side effects. Since Celiac disease is treated with diet, a short-term experiment with gluten-free products can do no harm. It may take several weeks to notice an improvement. If a gluten-free diet does not help your symptoms, there is no advantage in continuing it. You may deprive yourself of necessary nutrition long-term for no medical gain.
The Gluten-free Diet
Many grains contain gluten. Wheat, barley and rye are the most common. Some products that don't contain gluten directly may have been processed in contaminated machinery. Avoid breads, cakes, pastas and cereals unless the package states that they are gluten-free. Look for staple foods made from corn, rice or soy, and remember that flour is often used as a thickener in gravies and sauces.
Warning
If you think you may have or have been diagnosed with Lupus, diet is not a substitute for professional medical care. You may be treated by several specialists, depending on your symptoms. Lupus can harm vital organs if left untreated. Talk to your doctor about lifestyle changes which may assist you to cope, but do not substitute these for medical care.
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