Food intolerance describes non-immune related reactions to food. For instance, if you produce too little or no lactase enzyme, you cannot properly digest lactose-containing food. This makes you lactose intolerant. Food intolerance is relatively common. However, there is a distinctive difference between gluten intolerance and celiac disease and it is important to know the difference. Consult your doctor if you suspect that you may have gluten intolerance or celiac disease.
Gluten Intolerance
Gluten intolerance means that you are not able to properly digest gluten, which is a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. Eating gluten-containing foods may cause nausea, bloating, gas and rumbling in your stomach. Gluten intolerance may cause uncomfortable symptoms; however, it is not considered dangerous and does not cause permanent damage to your gastrointestinal system. To reduce or avoid these symptoms you must either limit or eliminate gluten from your diet, depending on the severity of your symptoms.
Celiac Disease
Celiac disease involves a sensitivity to gluten; however, unlike an intolerance, celiac disease is immune-related. In celiac disease your immune system responds abnormally to gluten. It produces antibodies that attempt to attack gluten, but damage your small intestines in the process. This can lead to permanent damage that reduces your ability to absorb nutrients. Because your immune system is attacking normal tissues, celiac disease is considered an autoimmune disease.
Intolerance Diagnosis
Your doctor can conduct an assessment if you suspect that you are gluten intolerant. An intolerance is typically diagnosed based on your symptoms and the absence of anti-gluten antibodies. Your doctor can perform a blood test to look for the presence of anti-gluten antibodies. If no antibodies are present, your doctor may check your intestines for damage. If no antibodies or intestinal damage are present, but you experience gastrointestinal symptoms after eating gluten, then this strongly indicates that you may have an intolerance and not celiac disease.
Celiac Diagnosis
Celiac disease often presents no symptoms. To confirm a celiac diagnosis, your health care provider will need to establish the presence of an autoimmune response. A blood test can check for anti-gluten antibodies. An intestinal biopsy can help determine whether or not you have sustained intestinal damage. There is no cure for celiac disease. If you are diagnosed with celiac disease, you must adhere to a strict gluten-free diet to prevent further damage. With dietary management, the prognosis is good.
