Gluten Intolerance And Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia, classified as a syndrome rather than a disease, includes a collection of signs, symptoms and associated medical conditions that occur together without any apparent cause. Patients with fibromyalgia experience chronic and widespread pain with tender joints, sleep impairments, fatigue and psychological symptoms. While the exact cause of fibromyalgia remains unknown, research published in the "British Medical Journal" suggests an association between gluten intolerance and the onset of rheumatic diseases like fibromyalgia.

Gluten Intolerance

Gluten is the protein found in wheat, rye and barley. Any food item that contains these grains or any ingredient made from these grains contains gluten. Celiac disease is a medical condition that occurs when your body mistakenly attacks the cells lining your small intestine when presented with gluten. The damage to the small intestine inhibits the absorption of nutrients, causing a variety of symptoms. Celiac disease affects approximately 1 in every 133 people, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, but many do not even know they have the disease. Some doctors refer to the condition as gluten intolerance or gluten sensitivity.

Gluten Intolerance Symptoms

Because celiac disease inhibits the absorption of nutrients, the symptoms vary. Common symptoms affect the digestive tract and include abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea, vomiting and constipation; they can lead to weight loss and fatigue. Celiac disease can also affect other parts of the body, causing joint pain and tenderness like that of fibromyalgia. PubMed Health reports that patients with gluten intolerance may also suffer from other autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, which also resembles fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia Symptoms

The most common symptom of fibromyalgia is chronic pain that occurs without any known cause. It might be a stabbing or shooting pain or a dull ache deep within the muscles and joints. Patients often complain of neurological symptoms including numbness or tingling usually felt in the hands. Fibromyalgia causes sleep disturbances that lead to fatigue and extreme exhaustion. Patients with fibromyalgia may develop other conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, restless leg syndrome, anxiety and depression.

Connection

Research published in the "World Journal of Gastroenterology" states that diseases of the digestive system, like inflammatory bowel disease, produce musculoskeletal complications. This research suggests a link between digestive conditions and rheumatic diseases. This means that gluten intolerance not only shares symptoms similar to fibromyalgia but that there may be a common link. Because of this link, the research published in the "British Medical Journal" states that patients with fibromyalgia should be screened for gluten intolerance and that doctors should suggest the patient switch to a gluten-free diet to help relieve symptoms.

Gluten Intolerance and Fibromyalgia