Gluten is part of our daily lives, due to the large number of foods that contain gluten
that we eat every day.
We do this without realizing how much gluten we are ingesting.
Breads, cakes, pizza, pastas, cookies, and biscuits all contain gluten—and there are
many more also.
Without a doubt foods that contain gluten are among the most consumed foods all over
the world.
I mean, who doesn’t like pasta, right?
Meanwhile a lot of people are allergic or intolerant to gluten without realizing it.
Few people know what gluten really is and where it’s found.
Generally speaking, gluten consumption by those who are intolerant to it brings about
very diverse symptoms, and in many cases, they are interpreted as signs of other diseases.
This obviously can lead to various errors in diagnoses and a ton of misinformation.
Then, what exactly is gluten?
It’s the mixture of proteins that are specifically found in the formation of grains such wheat,
rye, and barley.
Because many foods are made from these grains, including healthy foods such as cereal bars,
gluten is widely found in our food chain.
Knowing that gluten is, is an important step in improving your quality of life; however,
some of the symptoms of a gluten allergy or intolerance are so common that many people
don’t even realize they are allergic or intolerant to gluten.
Besides that, few people know the name associated with gluten intolerance, and are therefore
unable to seek treatment or change their eating habits.
Have you ever heard of Celiac Disease?
This sickness is an autoimmune condition that affects people with hypersensitivity to gluten.
Understand this—Celiac Disease can only be diagnosed with a blood test, but gluten
intolerance is a very common condition.
Let’s learn about the ten most common symptoms related to a gluten allergy, in order to understand
the best way to create a routine to avoid gluten.
1.
Digestive problems
Slow digestion or indigestion is one of the main symptoms of gluten intolerance and/or
Celiac Disease.
It’s important to be especially alert to constant flatulence, stomach pain, bloating,
and diarrhea.
2.
Headache
One sign of possible gluten intolerance is chronic headaches, especially after eating
anything with gluten in it.
This is not a symptom closely linked to Celiac Disease, but it is a good indication of whether
you are intolerant to gluten.
Try to pay attention whether or not the pain starts after eating foods with gluten.
3.
Chronic Weakness
Constant fatigue, without having performed any physical exercise, is a strong indication
of gluten intolerance as well as for Celiac Disease.
4.
Mental Confusion
Gluten intolerance can cause confusion, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating.
Be aware, as these are also symptoms associated with fatigue, stress or aging.
5.
Joint Pain
Gluten intolerance causes inflammation in various parts of the body, especially in the
joints.
6.
Immune System Problems
Immune system failures can be consequences of a gluten intolerance.
With Celiac Disease, the clearest symptom is anemia, which also damages the immune system.
7.
Depression
Gluten intolerance is also harmful to people who have depression because it intensifies
the symptoms of anxiety, irritability, and sudden mood swings.
8.
Skin Lesions
For people who have Celiac Disease, skin lesions such as rashes, eczema, psoriasis and others,
are very clear symptoms of the disease.
These symptoms also appear in people with a gluten intolerance, but to a lesser degree.
9.
Tooth Decay
When the person has a gluten intolerance, the teeth are weakened and there is a greater
chance of cavities.
10.
Hormonal Disorders
Hormones can also be severely affected in people with an intolerance to gluten.
In cases of Celiac Disease, a very rapid increase or decrease in weight may be symptomatic of
estrogen levels which are out of control.
So periodic hormone-level tests are very important.
What to do if you have Celiac Disease and/or gluten intolerance?
If you notice more than one of these symptoms in your daily routine, the first step is to
pay a visit to your doctor and ask him to order multiple tests.
Ask specifically for him to run the test for Celiac Disease.
After diagnosis, be prepared to eliminate gluten from your daily diet.
If the symptoms are extremely bothersome, you can also do a simple test: Eat a gluten-free
diet for a while and check for improvement in your condition.
If you feel better, just confirm the diagnosis with the doctor so you can continue your treatment.