Can Gluten Intolerance Make Your Body Ache?

Some of the most common symptoms of gluten intolerance include digestive problems such as gas, bloating and chronic diarrhea. Gluten intolerance can actually cause a wide range of symptoms that do not involve digestion, including skin rashes, infertility, dental problems, seizures and respiratory problems. Muscle pain, tingling, cramping and weakness are also among the hundreds of symptoms of gluten intolerance.

Significance

The diagnosed form of gluten intolerance is known as celiac disease. In this autoimmune condition, your body actually destroys the villi in the small intestine when you consume the protein gluten, found in wheat, barley and rye. These villi are essential to the proper breakdown of food and nutrient absorption. When you are malnourished or unable to digest food properly, a myriad of symptoms can occur.

Symptoms

You may experience body aches due to iron-deficient anemia, which is one of the side effects of celiac disease. Certain vitamin and mineral deficiencies can also cause cramping, aches and weakness -- for example, potassium and sodium deficiency can result in muscle cramping. A condition called peripheral neuropathy is another side effect of gluten intolerance. This condition is characterized by numbness and tingling in fingers, toes, legs and arms but can also cause sensitivity to touch, muscle weakness and sharp pain.

Diagnosis and Treatment

You can only treat celiac disease and its symptoms with a 100 percent gluten-free diet. If you suspect you have gluten intolerance, talk to your doctor about getting a blood test and possibly an intestinal biopsy. Approximately 3 million Americans have celiac disease, according to the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness.

Considerations

Some people who test negative for celiac disease may benefit from a gluten-free diet. If you have unexplained aches and pains, a gluten-free diet might be worth trying. Speak to your health-care provider about the possibility of following such a plan. If you do follow a gluten-free eating plan, make sure you still include a variety of naturally gluten-free foods to ensure proper nutrition.