Gluten intolerance is a condition that can affect individuals at any age. More than 2 million people in the United States are gluten intolerant, according to 2003 information provided by the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC). Even more individuals experience some form of gluten sensitivity or intolerance, states Dr. George Kurian of Baltimore Washington Medical Center. If you think you may be gluten intolerant, talk with your doctor about your symptoms so you can begin to alter your diet accordingly, if necessary.
Understanding Gluten Intolerance
Gluten intolerance is a condition in which an individual cannot properly digest the protein known as gluten, causing various intestinal symptoms. This intolerance can be minor, or it can be severe, as in the cases of individuals with celiac disease. Individuals with celiac disease have an autoimmune response to gluten that damages the small intestine. Individuals with gluten intolerance usually only have fleeting symptoms like stomach pain or diarrhea, but if these occur too often, some individuals opt to follow a gluten-free diet, which is the only proven treatment for this condition, states Dr. Kurian. For those with simple gluten intolerance, this diet is usually optional and not required; for individuals with celiac disease, this diet is a necessity.
Symptoms
If you are gluten intolerant, you may have a variety of symptoms, although children are more likely to have digestive symptoms than adults, states the NDDIC. Digestive symptoms of gluten intolerance can include abdominal bloating, stomach pain, diarrhea or nausea. When the gluten intolerance is more severe, other symptoms may include iron-deficiency anemia with no known cause, fatigue, osteoporosis, depression or anxiety, infertility or recurrent miscarriage, menstrual problems, bone or joint pain and and itchy skin rash.
Diagnosis
If your doctor suspects you may be gluten intolerant, she may suggest that you try a gluten-free diet to see if your symptoms resolve. She may also order several different kinds of tests to see if you have celiac disease. The first test is a blood test that checks levels of certain antibodies. If you have celiac disease, antibodies like anti-endomysium and anti-tissue transglutaminase may be significantly elevated because they are reacting to ingested gluten. For a confirmation of the diagnosis, your doctor may perform a biopsy of the small intestine to see any damage done to the villi; this is typically done endoscopically. You may also be asked to swallow a small pill that contains a camera, so your doctor can see the inside of your intestines as it travels through your system.
Living With Gluten Intolerance
There is no cure for gluten intolerance, but the condition can be treated and symptoms can be relieved. For individuals with minor gluten intolerance, some may opt to consume an entirely gluten-free diet, while others may be able to tolerate the symptoms that occur when ingesting gluten. If you have celiac disease, a gluten-free diet is necessary to prevent further damage to the intestines and restore the body's ability to absorb the necessary nutrients. Gluten-free substitutes for wheat flour include potato, rice, soy, amaranth, quinoa or buckwheat. Many stores, especially natural food stores, sell a variety of gluten-free foods suitable for an individual with gluten intolerance. Your doctor may advise you to stay away from certain medications, as these can sometimes contain gluten, and a nutritionist with experience working with gluten-free diets may be helpful.
