Sensitivity to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley, can be relatively mild or it can trigger an autoimmune reaction called celiac disease. Celiac causes damage to the small intestine, resulting in malabsorption of nutrients and resultant deficiencies. No cure exists for gluten sensitivity or celiac disease. The only solution is to avoid wheat, rye and barley and products made from them.
Intestinal Symptoms
Symptoms of gluten sensitivity often resemble those of irritable bowel syndrome. These can include abdominal bloating, abdominal pain, vomiting, mucus in the stool, diarrhea and/or constipation. If your gluten sensitivity has triggered celiac disease, you may also experience an unexplained weight loss if your small intestine is unable to absorb calories and nutrients properly.
Fatigue, Weakness and Mental Symptoms
A gluten sensitivity can cause you to feel tired and weak. Some of this may be due to the gluten itself, but if you have celiac disease, the symptoms can be a result of deficiencies due to problems with nutrient absorption. Consumption of gluten can also cause headaches, mental "fogginess" and even anxiety and depression.
Peripheral Neuropathy
When gluten sensitivity triggers celiac disease, it can manifest itself with tingling or numbness in the toes and fingers. Known as peripheral neuropathy, the symptoms can also include burning sensations, sensitivity to touch, stabbing pains and unusual sweating. It can spread to the feet or hands. While it can be either constant or periodic, it is usually equal on both sides of the body.
Dermatitis Herpetiformis
Gluten sensitivity can trigger an autoimmune skin disease called dermatitis herpetiformis. It is characterized by painful and itchy water-filled blisters on both sides of your body. The blisters are a result of immunoglobulin A -- or IgA -- antibodies that the autoimmune reaction to gluten deposits under the top layer of your skin. The blisters most often occur on pressure points, such as the elbows, knees and buttocks, but can occur anywhere. If you experience this reaction to gluten, you may or may not also have celiac disease. If you have both a gluten intolerance and celiac disease, the damage to the small intestine is generally less severe than if you just have celiac disease.
Other Symptoms
Other symptoms of gluten sensitivity and celiac disease can include sores in the mouth, loss of tooth enamel, infertility, repeated miscarriages and loss of bone mass. Many of the health problems are due to nutrient deficiencies caused by small intestine damage. If you suspect you are sensitive to gluten, talk to your doctor about being tested or simply eliminate wheat, rye and barley from your diet to see if your health improves. Fortunately, meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, vegetables and fruits are naturally gluten free. Processed foods often contain ingredients derived from wheat, rye or barley, but more gluten free processed foods are appearing on supermarket shelves as awareness of the problem grows.
References
- Des Moines University Clinic: What Is Gluten Intolerance?
- University of Maryland Medical Center: University of Maryland School of Medicine Researchers Identify Key Pathogenic Differences Between Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity
- The University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center: Symptoms
- The University of Chicago Center for Peripheral Neuropathy: Frequently Asked Questions
- Gluten Intolerance Group: Dermatitis Herpetiformis
