Gluten is one of four proteins found in wheat that can cause an allergic reaction, according to the Food Allergy Initiative. Most people with a true gluten allergy are under the age of three years. A gluten allergy is commonly confused with gluten intolerance, or celiac disease. A gluten allergy does not cause irritable bowel syndrome, but has similar symptoms. If you experience digestive complications every time you eat wheat-based products, talk with a doctor for proper diagnosis.
Gluten Allergy Cause
A gluten allergy is a hypersensitivity of the immune system to the protein. When gluten enters the body, the immune system mistakes it as a harmful substance and begins to defend itself by producing IgE antibodies, according to MayoClinic.com. The antibodies alert mast cells throughout the body of the protein and the cells begin producing histamine to help ward off the gluten. The histamine in the body causes inflammation in soft tissue to develop, leading to common food-related allergy symptoms.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic disorder of the lower intestines that causes irregular, and at times, uncontrollable bowel movements, according to MedlinePlus. It is not clear the cause of irritable bowel syndrome, but it commonly forms after an intestinal infection. The condition is more common in women and symptoms typically begin in early adolescence.
Connection
The only connection between a gluten allergy and irritable bowel syndrome is the commonality of symptoms. Both conditions cause abdominal pain, cramping, gas, fowl-smelling stools, diarrhea and nausea. If someone has been diagnosed with both a gluten allergy and irritable bowel syndrome, the one condition will affect the other. For example, if a patient has a gluten allergy and eats wheat, the allergic reaction can increase inflammation in the lower intestine, leading to more severe episodes of irritable bowel syndrome.
Other Symptoms
A gluten allergy causes other symptoms to develop alongside gastrointestinal difficulty. These can include nasal congestion, hives, eczema, shortness of breath, wheezing, the inability to breathe or coughing. If the patient experiences a sudden drop in blood pressure or feels lightheaded, call 911 because she may be experiencing anaphylactic shock, according to MayoClinic.com.
Treatment
A patient with a gluten allergy should avoid consuming products containing gluten, according to MayoClinic.com. The Food Allergy Initiative recommends using other types of flour while baking or cooking, such as rice or soy flour. There is no cure for a gluten allergy. Irritable bowel syndrome is treated with prescribed medications that help to maintain control over the intestines.
