Signs of a Gluten Allergy
Gluten allergy is a condition that affects the lining of the small intestine. The immune system adversely reacts to the gluten, which causes it to make antibodies that attack the villi of the small intestine. As a result, the surface area for vitamin and nutrient absorption from food is greatly compromised. This leads to conditions related to malnutrition.
Identification
Gluten is a protein component found in certain grains that give them their binding and leavening capabilities. Often the term gluten is used to refer to wheat, although gluten is found in other foods, such as barley, rye, oats and spelt.
Significance
The terms gluten allergy and coeliac disease often are used interchangeably, although some make a distinction between the two conditions. Gluten allergy is considered to be a lifelong disease that is usually discovered during infancy, as the baby's diet is changed to include cereals, such as rice, barley and oatmeal. A gluten allergy may be hereditary.
Considerations
It is difficult to avoid foods with gluten. If someone has a gluten allergy, then small amounts of gluten may be allowed. However, in the case of coeliac disease, all forms of gluten must be eliminated from the diet.
Effects
Gluten allergy, or coeliac disease, can lead to the development of anemia, if the condition is not treated and gluten is not avoided. Further complications can include bone disease and cancer. There are tests available to diagnose a gluten allergy, as well as to distinguish gluten allergy from coeliac disease.
Symptoms
Gluten allergy may manifest itself in many different symptoms, and those may fluctuate from one extreme to another. Symptoms include fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, depression, abdominal bloating, weight loss, growth cessation in children, mouth ulcers, diverticulitis, skin problems, and Crohn's disease. Gluten allergy also also may cause a person to become irritable, and it has been linked to incidences of Autism.
