6 Hidden Signs of Gluten Intolerance
According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, 1 out of 100 people suffers from celiac disease, or in other words, gluten intolerance.
A common misconception is that gluten intolerance is an allergy. That is incorrect, it is a chronic disease that damages the intestinal tract and makes people who suffer from the disease feel very, very bad.
Unfortunately, many people with celiac disease do not know that their bodies are trying to tell them that they suffer from the disease. And that is a serious problem, because not only will they continue to suffer untreated from this disease; gluten intolerance can also lead to other problems such as malnutrition and cancer.
The symptoms of gluten intolerance vary from person to person, but there are 6 common symptoms that everyone should know.
1. Stomach Problems
According to Celiac.com, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and gastroesophageal reflux disease are the most common misdiagnoses of gluten intolerance. All of these diseases indeed have the same symptoms as gluten intolerance, including diarrhea, constipation, flatulence, and bloating.
2. Rash and Mouth Ulcers
A dry, itchy skin and mouth ulcers are both symptoms of gluten intolerance (previously known as celiac disease). The Mayo Clinic states that a skin disease called ‘Dühring’s Disease’ causes rash on the elbows, forearms, and around the buttocks and is a consequence of gluten intolerance in the intestinal tract. This disease is often associated with skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
3. Weight Loss
Celiac disease causes inflammation caused by a gluten protein that damages villi in your small intestine. This intestinal damage can lead to weight loss, writes Beyond Celiac. As if that’s not enough, the disease can further lead to nausea, feeling like you need to vomit, and loss of appetite.
4. Fatigue
Gluten intolerance can make you feel tired, weak, and exhausted. This is not surprising given that the body is constantly battling inflammation. According to Beyond Celiac, the ability of your body to absorb vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients is destroyed when your body takes in gluten. In addition, your villi are damaged.
5. Depression
If you feel more miserable than usual, gluten intolerance may be the cause, writes Beyond Celiac. A shortage of blood and vitamins can be a biological basis for a miserable, anxious, or angry feeling. That also makes sense, because if your stomach is not happy with what you put in it, your brain will naturally not be happy either.
6. Lactose Intolerance
The National Health Service of the United Kingdom reports that if you think you have lactose intolerance, it is likely gluten intolerance. Many of the symptoms of lactose or gluten intolerance are the same: abdominal pain, flatulence, bloating, or diarrhea.
If you think you have gluten intolerance, contact a doctor. Remember to share these warning signs with all your friends on Facebook. We care about your health too.
