Gluten Intolerance and Celiac Disease
If you face symptoms, like feeling tired or bloated after eating food with gluten ingredients, such as bread, pasta, or pizza, then you may be suffering from gluten intolerance, or in more severe cases, celiac disease.
So, you may need to see a doctor for a firm diagnosis to know if eating gluten-packed meals is what causing your symptoms, thus, a gluten-free diet will be required to enjoy eating without any discomfort.
This full-guide article is for you, if you have been wondering whether gluten might be behind your digestive issues with quality information about gluten intolerance, how it differs from celiac disease, and how adopting a gluten-free diet can enhance your health and life quality.
Understanding Gluten:
Let us start this full guide with an introduction about gluten, as gluten is a protein that acts as a connector that holds foods together into the shape we see, and gives foods like bread and pasta their chewy texture.
However, not everyone can digest gluten properly, as it could cause various reactions, ranging from mild discomfort to serious health concerns, due to the high existence of gluten in many processed foods containing gluten, avoiding it is really a challenge for people with gluten intolerance or celiac disease.
Especially gluten intolerance is one of the most common food intolerances, making the need for gluten-free diets and foods to help people with intolerance avoid related symptoms associated with consuming gluten.
Gluten Intolerance:
Gluten intolerance, also known as non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), is the condition of experiencing digestive symptoms when eating any food with gluten.
Although it is similar to celiac disease still it does not have the same autoimmune response or damage to the small intestine, so, we can consider it a discomfort with a range of symptoms, including:
- Bloating and gas.
- Abdominal pain.
- Diarrhea or constipation.
- Fatigue.
- Headaches.
- Joint pain.
These are the most popular symptoms of gluten intolerance, however, these symptoms can vary from one person to another, but, keep in mind that these symptoms could mimic other gastrointestinal conditions making diagnosing harder, especially, since there is no specific test to identify or diagnose gluten intolerance condition.
Celiac Disease:
Celiac disease is a serious medical condition that requires a lifelong commitment to a gluten-free diet, as it is defined as an autoimmune disorder in which the ingestion of gluten causes damage to the small intestine, which, over time, could lead to nutrient malabsorption, affecting many organs and systems in the body.
Furthermore, this disease could be diagnosed in children as well, leading to various symptoms, like delayed growth, irritability, and malnutrition.
To make this clearer, let us describe what happens when a person with celiac disease eats gluten, the immune system will respond by attacking the lining of the small intestine, causing inflammation and long-term damage, which prevents the absorption of vital nutrients.
Common symptoms of celiac disease include:
- Chronic diarrhea.
- Weight loss.
- Fatigue.
- Anemia.
- Osteoporosis.
- Iron-deficiency anemia.
- Skin conditions like dermatitis herpetiformis.
The severity of symptoms can range from asymptomatic, to mild, or debilitating, however, if left untreated, this disease can lead to more severe complications, including other autoimmune disorders, neurological conditions, and an increased risk of intestinal cancer.
Followed Steps in the Diagnosis of Gluten Intolerance and Celiac Disease:
As we discussed till now, we are talking about similar but not one condition, thus the diagnosis process differs, so, let us introduce you to the:
· Celiac Disease Diagnosing Process:
The first step includes doing blood tests to detect specific antibodies that usually exist in this condition.
If the blood test is positive, the next step would be an intestinal biopsy, to help doctors evaluate the damage in the small intestine, and make an informed diagnosis.
· Gluten Intolerance Diagnosing Process:
This diagnosis process is more complicated as there are no definitive tests, however, advanced testing technologies and options, such as the FoodPrint test by Omega Diagnostics, can help identify elevated levels of antibodies against certain foods, including gliadin (a component of gluten) and other grains.
This test, and others similar to it, can be a helpful tool in determining whether gluten intolerance or sensitivities to other grains are present.
Tips for Living with Gluten Intolerance and Celiac Disease:
For both conditions, following a gluten-free diet is the primary and most effective treatment, which means removing gluten from the diet routine, like avoiding common foods such as bread, pasta, and cereals made from wheat, barley, or rye.
Furthermore, living with these conditions requires carefully noticing hidden sources of gluten that can find their way into everyday foods like sauces, dressings, and processed snacks, thus, reading food labels carefully is a habit you should have, moreover, working with a nutritionist is vital to figure out what is safe to eat and keep your diet balanced.
Additionally, when it comes to social situations, like eating out or going to events, you need a little extra planning, like sharing your dietary needs early with your hostess.
Luckily, gluten-free diet alternatives are broadly available nowadays, making it easier for people to keep a balanced and satisfying diet, while living their lives freely, especially since many restaurants are becoming gluten-aware, and even offering gluten-free menus.
The Future of Gluten-Free Living:
The growing demand for gluten-free foods has led to major improvements in food options and technology, making people with gluten intolerance or celiac disease enjoy numerous gluten-free choices, from baked goods and pasta to snacks, making it easier to follow a gluten-free diet.
Moreover, ongoing medical research and development is constantly looking for new treatments to reduce or even eliminate the need for a strict gluten-free diet, like enzyme therapies that could help break down gluten in the digestive system.
However, till today there is no complete cure for celiac disease, thus, living gluten-free remains the best way to manage the symptoms.
Finally,
Living with gluten intolerance or celiac disease could look like a hard thing to do, however, with the right knowledge and medical support, managing these conditions and adopting a gluten-free diet will make life easier.
Thus, always make an informed choice with full awareness of your food and diet to protect your health till hard-working healthcare providers discover the effective treatment for these conditions.