Gluten is a type of protein found in cereals such as wheat and it’s what gives dough its elasticity. There are many people who suffer from gluten intolerance though, and most of them struggle to get diagnosed. While this problem cannot be fixed permanently, the earlier it is diagnosed, the better the chances of healing, as delayed diagnosis makes symptoms worsen. By knowing the common symptoms of gluten intolerance, you can take appropriate action if you begin to experience them. This will prevent the situation from getting worse.
Most Common Symptoms of Gluten Intolerance
Fatigue – If you use food containing gluten and you start experiencing brain or general body fatigue, this could be a warning sign of gluten intolerance. This occurs because your body is struggling to remove gluten, which it considers to be a harmful substance. As it works hard to eliminate it, most of the energy in your body is lost and therefore you begin to feel tired and exhausted.
Digestive Issues – Gluten intolerance brings about many digestive issues, leading to discomfort. For instance, if you partake of food containing gluten, you may begin to experience abdominal pain. Other issues include bloating, constipation (especially among children), and diarrhea. Also, if the food you eat causes nausea, that could be a sign of gluten intolerance, as could foul-smelling stools.
Autoimmune Diseases – If your doctor diagnoses you with any autoimmune disease, this could mean that you are also suffering from gluten intolerance. In most cases, people with this autoimmune disease often experience symptoms in common with gluten intolerance. The symptoms are even worse when they are suffering from celiac disease. Examples of autoimmune diseases include multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, graves disease, type 1 diabetes, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease.
Keratosis Pilaris – This condition is sometimes referred to as chicken skin because it causes the skin to have a raised appearance just like that of chicken. Many people ignore keratosis pilaris because it is not harmful, but it could be a symptom of gluten intolerance. If you have this disease you will also experience hard bumps on your skin that won’t disappear.
Mental Illness – Quite a number of neurological problems are closely linked to gluten intolerance. They include depression, epilepsy, peripheral neuropathy, ADHD, and anxiety. Of all the mentioned problems, depression is the most common. Research has shown that people with gluten intolerance suffer most, but even those who do not have the condition experience some depression when they take gluten in their diet.
Migraines – Migraine is a condition where you experience recurrent headaches on one side of your head. Sometimes you may begin to experience disturbed vision as well as nausea. This condition can be brought about by intolerance to gluten. To get rid of migraines naturally, try essential oils.
Infertility – Eating gluten foods when you are intolerant to gluten can lead to serious reproductive problems. Your body becomes inflamed and this can contribute to infertility. The good thing is that when gluten intolerant people stop taking gluten in their diet, they resume their normal reproductive health. You can boost your fertility with essential oils.
Pain In The Joints – If you begin to experience joint pains, it could mean that you are intolerant to gluten. Other signs include inflammation and swelling. The problem becomes worse among patients with arthritis because their condition prevents them from knowing if gluten is contributing to the symptoms they already suffer from. For this reason, it is important that they visit the doctor on regular basis for diagnosis.
Chronic Fatigue – Studies have shown that chronic fatigue is caused by gluten intolerance. Chronic fatigue is also referred to as fibromyalgia. It is ironic that many people who are diagnosed with fibromyalgia fail to understand the root cause of their condition when in the real sense it is because of the gluten diet they often take. This problem can be prevented by taking gluten-free diet.
Mood Swings – When you are intolerant to gluten and you ingest foods containing gluten, you are likely to experience mood swings. This may result in anger, leading some people to engage in violent acts if that anger is not controlled. However, the anger is not permanent and mood swings can be minimized by taking gluten-free foods.
Dizziness – When you begin to experience dizziness after eating gluten, this is a clear symptom of gluten intolerance.
Hormonal Imbalances – The problem of hormonal imbalances like PCOS and PMS may be exacerbated by an intolerance of gluten. This may lead to other health complications because hormones play a vital role in the body.
Throat And Mouth Irritation – When you feel irritation in your mouth and throat while eating food containing gluten, this could be a warning sign of gluten intolerance. The irritation is a clear indicator that your body is not compatible with the food you are eating.
Final Thoughts About Gluten Intolerance
The process of determining whether you are intolerant to gluten or not involves a number of tests. The doctor will conduct blood tests and may also do a skin prick test. It is best to be diagnosed by your doctor before starting any treatment. This will also help to rule out the possibility of celiac disease, a hereditary disease with serious health complications.
