Over the course of the past ten years, gluten intolerance has steadily become an increasingly widespread issue. Intolerance to gluten can manifest itself in a variety of ways, and it frequently takes the form of something else. This is one of the reasons why gluten intolerance can be challenging to detect. If you are able to identify the symptoms of gluten intolerance, you will be better able to determine the source of your discomfort. By doing so, you will be able to take the necessary actions to alleviate your symptoms and lead a life that is more comfortable.
Comparison between Coeliac Disease and Gluten Intolerance
Due to the fact that gluten intolerance is becoming an increasingly prevalent health problem, it has become a problem that has generated considerable controversy. Some individuals who are suffering symptoms are positive that gluten is the cause of their discomfort, while others contend that gluten sensitivity is not a valid complaint.
The fact that many people use the phrases gluten sensitivity and coeliac disease interchangeably is the primary source of the debate. On the other hand, these two conditions have been very distinct from one another:
Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disease that affects approximately one percent of the population. It is a relatively uncommon condition. This is the most severe form of gluten sensitivity, and it has the potential to produce complications for the digestive system. It is possible that coeliac disease will eventually progress to stomach cancer if it is not treated effectively [1]. In contrast to a “wheat allergy,” coeliac disease is an autoimmune ailment that can be diagnosed by your physician through the use of serologic and genetic diagnostic tests.
Non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) is another term that is frequently used to refer to gluten sensitivity. Gluten intolerance is another term that is occasionally used to describe gluten sensitivity. Coeliac disease is a clinical umbrella that actually encompasses this unfavourable reaction to gluten, which is a sensitivity to gluten. Gluten sensitivity is not associated with an autoimmune disorder and is far less severe than coeliac disease. The NCGS is not connected with the problems of coeliac disease [2,17], despite the fact that many of the symptoms are similar to one another.
There is no proven method for diagnosing gluten sensitivity, in contrast to the diagnosis of coeliac disease. Because of this, researchers believe that anywhere from half a percent to thirteen percent of the population may be sensitive to gluten regardless of whether or not they have coeliac disease [2].
Are People Really Sensitive to Gluten?
There is a large number of individuals who do not believe that non-celiac gluten sensitivity is a real condition. This is due to the fact that the symptoms are so diverse and it is difficult to precisely diagnose. However, what does the scientific community have to say? The participants in one study, who were 59 in total and suspected of having a gluten sensitivity, were divided into two groups. Over the course of one week, they administered either a capsule containing gluten or a placebo containing rice starch to each category of participants. After a week had passed, they switched the groups around.
The participants reported experiencing an increase in symptoms such as gastrointestinal pain, gas, headaches, fatigue, bloating, and brain fog if they were given the capsule that contained gluten [3]. Researchers conducted a second trial using a structure that was quite similar to the first, but this time they included more than one hundred volunteers who did not have coeliac disease. Participants reported experiencing an increase in symptoms and a deterioration in quality of life during the week that they were taking the gluten supplement [4], just as they did in the research that came before it. It is demonstrated by both of these research that gluten sensitivity is a real condition that does have an impact on the quality of life of individuals.
The Indications That You Don’t Like Gluten
One of the challenges associated with diagnosing gluten sensitivity is that the symptoms exhibited by the individual might vary greatly and may not be very precise. The indicators of gluten intolerance are difficult to differentiate from those of other health problems and autoimmune illnesses because of this particular factor.
That being said, being aware of the symptoms of gluten intolerance will assist you in determining whether or not gluten is the source of the discomfort you are experiencing. Many people are aware of the stomach symptoms that are connected with gluten sensitivity; however, there are a great number of other signals that may be telling you that you need to remove gluten from your diet that are not as visible.
1. Issues with the Skin
Skin problems such as acne, rashes, and flushing of the complexion are just some of the symptoms that can be brought on by an intolerance to gluten. In the event that you are experiencing skin problems that do not appear to have any other rational explanation, you might wish to investigate your food in order to find whatever hints there may be.
While following a gluten-free diet, a number of various skin diseases have showed signs of improvement, including the following:
Scaling and reddening of the skin are symptoms of psoriasis.
The autoimmune illness known as alopecia areata is responsible for hair loss that does not leave scars.
Chronic urticaria is characterised by repeated lesions that are pink or crimson in colour and have pale centres [5].
Headaches and fogginess of the brain
In spite of the fact that migraines are a very common condition, research has revealed that individuals who are gluten intolerant may be more likely to suffer from migraines than other people [6]. One of the most prevalent symptoms of gluten intolerance is called “brain fog,” which refers to the sensation of being unable to think clearly. A great number of individuals may characterise it as forgetfulness, having difficulties thinking, experiencing a “cloudy” mood, or experiencing mental tiredness. There are as many as forty percent of patients who have an intolerance to gluten who experience this symptom [7].
Third, bloating
One of the most common symptoms that people who are gluten intolerant have is that they have feelings of nausea and bloating. One of the most straightforward methods for determining whether or not an individual is sensitive to gluten is to observe the occurrence of this unpleasant sensation shortly after eating. According to the findings of one study, up to 87 percent of those who contemplated the possibility of having a gluten sensitivity also experienced bloating [8].
4. Tenderness and pain in the joints
Gluten intolerance is not typically one of the symptoms that people associate with these symptoms. Instead, people frequently attribute it to the fact that they are just exhausted. On the other hand, those who are sensitive to gluten may have inflammation as a result of their consumption of gluten. Because of this, they may have broad pain in their muscles as well as their joints [8]. There is currently a lack of clarity on whether or not gluten causes joint discomfort in individuals who do not have any prior illnesses, such as arthritis.
5. Gas, diarrhoea, and problems with constipation
Coeliac disease is characterised by a number of symptoms, the most prevalent of which are frequent digestive distress, including diarrhoea and constipation. It is possible, however, for individuals who are sensitive to gluten to also have these symptoms. It has been reported that more than fifty percent of those who are sensitive to gluten get frequent diarrhoea, and twenty-five percent of these individuals also develop constipation [9].
(6) Exhaustion
Possibly undetected is the fact that this is yet another indication of gluten intolerance. It is not uncommon to experience feelings of weariness, which can be caused by a wide variety of factors. However, persistent feelings of fatigue and lethargy are typically indicators that something is amiss. People who have an intolerance to gluten may frequently experience feelings of fatigue or sluggishness, particularly after consuming foods that include products that contain gluten. To put this into perspective, it is estimated that anywhere from sixty to over eighty percent of those who are gluten intolerant commonly experience these symptoms [9].
Anxiety and depression come in next.
The possible connection between gluten intolerance and depression can be explained by a number different theories, including the following:
1.Problems with serotonin? Serotonin is frequently referred to as the “happiness hormone” by individuals. Gluten sensitivity is associated with lower serotonin levels, which can be a contributing factor in the development of depression by [10].
2.The exorphins found in gluten. The digestion of certain gluten proteins results in the formation of peptides known as exorphins. They have the potential to induce depression by interfering with the functioning of the central nervous system [11].
3.Our microbiota in the gut. It is common for individuals who are sensitive to gluten to see alterations in the microbiota in their stomach. It is possible that they have larger quantities of bacteria that are harmful to the body and lower amounts of germs that are good to the body. Your chance of developing depression is increased as a result of this, as it can have an effect on your central nervous system [12].
8. Anaemia caused by a lack of iron
It is possible for those who are gluten intolerant to have inflammation in their gut and small intestine when they consume gluten. This inflammation can make it more difficult for them to absorb nutrients from their diet, particularly iron [13]. It is possible for a lack of iron to result in symptoms such as low blood volume, weariness, shortness of breath, dizziness, pale complexion, headaches, and weakness [14].
9. Weight Loss Absent Any Explanation
Sudden weight loss is frequently an indication that something is amiss with the individual. People who have not been diagnosed with gluten intolerance may also experience this symptom, despite the fact that it is more commonly associated with coeliac disease. It is possible that this is the result of deficiencies in food absorption or a diminished appetite as a consequence of stomach discomfort and abdominal pain [15].
10. Pain in the Chest Area
A single of the most common symptoms of gluten intolerance is the presence of abdominal pain. After consuming gluten, up to 83 percent of those who have a gluten sensitivity suffer discomfort and pain in the stomach region [16].
Get Familiar with the Symptoms of Gluten Intolerance
Although many of these symptoms may be the consequence of a wide range of health concerns, it is possible that they are an indication that you have an intolerance to gluten for some reason. If you are having more than one of these symptoms, there is a good probability that you may have a sensitivity to gluten. In particular, if you are experiencing each of these symptoms. It is recommended that you discuss with your physician the possibility of temporarily removing gluten from your diet if you believe that it may be the cause of your symptoms. In the event that you observe an improvement in your symptoms after removing it, you might want to think about completely removing gluten from your diet.