Do you have or suspect that you have gluten intolerance? Gluten intolerance, also known as celiac disease is very similar to wheat intolerance. This page will help you to identify if you have celiac disease or wheat intolerance and what you can do for it – they are not the same.

Celiac disease may also go by the names Coeliac Disease, Coeliac Sprue Disease, Gluten Enteropathy or simply CD. It is possible for a person to test negative for celiac disease but still have the symptoms of celiac disease. http://gluten-intolerance-symptoms.com/

Gluten is a protein and protein is a common allergy in children and adults. You may not have had an allergy to gluten as a child but can develop the allergy as an adult. In fact, it is quite common for the allergy to develop in an adult. Gluten exists in grains such as wheat, barley, rye and spelt. These are very common substances used in many foods; they provide an important nutritional value to our food as well as improve the texture and elasticity of our food.

The official description of Celiac disease is “Positive antibodies to the proteins glutenin and gliadin, tissue transglutaminase, and intestinal endomysium, along with the verified presence of HLA-DQ8 or HLA-DQ2 genes.” In layman terms, gluten intolerance is an autoimmune disorder that affects the small intestine. A person can develop intolerance to gluten as a child or it can develop in an adult of any age from young to old. It is believed that the intolerance is inherited and as the intolerance often goes undiagnosed, the person may never know that they have it. As more is learned and advertised about this disease, more and more people are becoming aware of their gluten intolerance. Parents are starting to realize that the problems their child or children are having may actually be celiac disease.

It is more difficult to determine if an adult has gluten intolerance than it is to determine in a child as the symptoms in an adult may often be misdiagnosed as ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, lactose intolerance or a yeast intolerance.

Celiac disease and the symptoms are caused when gliadin (which is a gluten protein in wheat and other grains) and the enzyme tissue transglutaminase interact. The inflammation will flatten the lining of the small intestine and impede the small intestine’s ability to absorb any nutrients.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/celiac-disease/DS00319http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/celiac-disease/features/gluten-intolerance-against-grain?page=2

An allergy to wheat is not specifically gluten intolerance. Like most allergies, an allergy to wheat is the response that the white blood cells and the mast cells have to the Immunogloblin E (IgE). The wheat allergy occurs over a period of time of consuming wheat and the symptoms are more like a typical allergic reaction. If the reaction that you have is immediate then it is more likely to be a wheat allergy than gluten intolerance.

Gluten intolerance is more like a nutritional deficiency. The symptom come on slowly over a period of time and can be severe and serious. The symptoms do not come on immediately as they do with a wheat allergy.

You can have celiac disease and not have a wheat allergy and you can have a wheat allergy and not have gluten intolerance.http://gluten-intolerance-symptoms.com/

The symptoms and Signs of gluten intolerance include the following.

In babies:
• Diarrhea that is chronic
• Distension of the abdomen
• Not eating well
• Not gaining weight
• Wasting of the muscles

In children:
• Diarrhea or constipation that is chronic
• Vomiting
• Not gaining weight or not growing
• Not eating well
• Irritable
• Wasting of the muscles

In adults:
• Diarrhea that is chronic
• Losing weight
• Anemia
• Weakness
• Fatigue

Most people see their doctor due to fatigue and depression rather than bowel issues. Sometimes a person may get a fracture due to the thinning of the bones, ulcers in mouth, and even blistering and itchy skin. Celiac disease can make it difficult for some women to become pregnant or have a miscarriage. Other women may be diagnosed with the disease while they are pregnant as a result of their bowel not absorbing enough iron and vitamin which makes them become anemic[[. Babies that are born very small are likely born to a parent that has celiac disease.http://www.foodreactions.org/gluten/http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/celiac-disease/DS00319/DSECTION=symptoms

A clinical test, blood test or intestinal biopsy will determine if you have Celiac Disease but these tests are not absolutely conclusive. Negative results do not always mean that you do not have gluten intolerance. These tests are not perfect and there are many people who test negative when in fact they do have gluten intolerance. These people are categorized as having Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitive (NCGS).

Recently a new test has been developed to test for Celiac Disease. A test for steatorrhea which is excess fat or lipids in the stool is considered to be a more effective test for gluten intolerance.

As many of the clinical tests for gluten intolerance are not completely conclusive, the testing includes a wide variety of observations. Gastro-intestinal problems (also known as gastrointestinal distress) such as diarrhea, flatulence, gas and bloating are taken into account. Other symptoms may include joint pain, fatigue and headache. The most effective way to determine if you have gluten intolerance is to go on the elimination diet in which you completely eliminate gluten and gluten associated food for a period of time. You keep a record so that you can compare your symptoms before and after the elimination diet. Achieving a truly gluten free diet is extremely difficult so doctors ten to try to determine the problem in other ways first. http://gluten-intolerance-symptoms.com/http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/celiac-disease/features/gluten-intolerance-against-grain?page=3

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact your doctor if you are concerned that you may be intolerant to gluten.