Gluten intolerance is caused by the body having an abnormal response to gluten, a protein found in some grains. Although gluten intolerance is not usually associated with fainting, it can cause a variety of problems that can ultimately cause you to feel faint or dizzy. Talk to your doctor if you have any fainting episodes, which may be a sign of a serious underlying health problem.
Fainting
Fainting, also known as syncope, is a temporary loss of consciousness that occurs when your brain gets inadequate blood flow. Before you lose consciousness, you may feel dizzy, nauseous or light-headed, and your vision may become blackened or whitened. If you faint, you will probably stay unconscious for only a minute or two, after which you will return to normal. Fainting can be a sign of a serious underlying problem, or it can be benign and occur in otherwise healthy people.
Gluten Intolerance
Gluten is a protein found in some grains, such as rye, barley and wheat. Gluten intolerance, also known as celiac disease, is a digestive problem that is caused by your immune system having an aberrant reaction to gluten. This immune reaction causes your intestines to become inflamed when you eat foods containing gluten, resulting in abdominal pain, diarrhea and other problems. Gluten intolerance is typically treated by eliminating gluten from the diet.
Complications of Gluten Intolerance
Although gluten intolerance does not directly cause fainting, some of the problems associated with this disease can result in syncope. For example, chronic diarrhea can lead to dehydration, which reduces your blood volume and can cause dizziness and fainting. Celiac disease exacerbations can also cause poor nutrient absorption, resulting in hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia can cause weakness, dizziness and fainting.
Considerations
If you are suffering from fainting episodes, contact your doctor to see if dehydration, hypoglycemia or other complications of gluten intolerance are contributing to your symptoms. Fainting can be a sign of a serious underlying health problem, such as heart disease. On the other hand, some people experience benign syncope during times of emotional stress or prolonged standing. This is also known as vasovagal syncope and generally causes no health problems.
