A gluten sensitivity is a broad term which includes gluten intolerance, gluten allergy and celiac disease. A gluten allergy is an allergic response to the naturally occurring protein, known as gluten, found in wheat and wheat flour. Symptoms of gluten allergy include pain, diarrhea, constipation, irritability, gas, headache, anxiety, indigestion and fibromyalgia to name a few. Celiac disease a type of gluten allergy affects 1 in 133 people, explains the Center for Food Allergies. Neuropathy is a symtpom associated with gluten allergy. This is a dysfunction in communication of nerves throughout the body resulting in loss of sensation, pain or tingling.
Gluten Allergy and the Brain
Gluten allergy is associated with neuropathy. It is quite common for brain neuropathy to be a symptom of gluten sensitivity without having a gastrointestinal component. Anti-gliadin antibodies are used to help diagnose celiac disease. Although, not the only and best measure, it sometimes proves useful. A study in the July 2006 "Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry" used anti-gliadin antibodies to assess neuropathies associated with people with positive anti-gliadin antibodies. The researchers discovered that a significant number of unexplained types of brain-associated neuropathies were present in people with anti-gliadin antibodies. The participants were unaware they were gluten sensitive and just knew they had unexplained neuropathies which helped to point out a likely cause.
Gluten Ataxia
Ataxia is the most common neuropathy symptom associated with gluten allergy, according to the 2002 "Journal of Neurology, Neurosugery and Psychiatry." It is known as gluten ataxia. Ataxia is loss of muscle coordination in order to perform voluntary tasks such as picking up a book or walking. Symptoms of ataxia my involve difficulty swallowing, walking, slurred speech and eye movement changes.
Gluten and Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy involves problems with the messages sent from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body and can result in pain. It affects sensations and muscle movements like swallowing, breathing and inability to move various muscles. Peripheral neuropathy related to gluten is the second most common type of neuropathy seen with gluten sensitivity, explains a study in the 2002 "Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry."
Treatment for Gluten Neuropathy
Treatment for peripheral neuropathy and gluten ataxia typically utilizes a gluten-free diet. A study published in the December 2006 journal "Muscle and Nerve" provided a gluten-free diet to people with gluten neuropathy for a year and symptoms improved significantly. The same results were seen in a study published in the September 2003 "Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry" with a gluten-free diet for people with gluten ataxia. After a year their symptoms had improved dramatically.
References
- Center for Food Allergies: Celiac Disease and Gluten Intolerance: Common Wheat Allergies
- "Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, Psychiatry"; Neuropathy Associated with Gluten Sensitivity; M. Hadjivassiliou, et al.; 2006
- "Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, Psychiatrist"; Gluten sensitivity as a neurological illness; M. Hadjivassiliou, et al.; 2002
- "Muscle & Nerve" Dietary Treatment of Gluten Neuropathy; M. Hadjivassiliou, et al.; 2006
- "Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry" ; Dietary Treatment of Ataxia; M. Hadjivassiliou, et al.; 2003
