There are been an alarming number of diseases that have been linked back to gluten which is a protein that is found in rye, barley, and wheat. It is thought that the majority of people who have celiac disease or gluten intolerance are never even diagnosed.
Around 15% of the population of the US is thought to have this problem. It is possible that you could be one of these. Below are some of the symptoms you that might signal you have an intolerance.
Gastrointestinal Problems
Some of the gastrointestinal problems that you may notice are diarrhea, bloating, and even constipation. These can come on gradually and you may even think that they are the cause of stress or some other situation going on in your life but they can be a sign of intolerance.
Vitamin Malabsorption
Those who are sensitive to gluten or intolerant will find that the lining of their stomach is not able to get the essential nutrients that it needs from food. This can result in low iron which might be a great indicator that something else might be wrong.
Skin Rash
When you are exposed to gluten and have a problem with it there are skin conditions that can take place such as dermatitis herpetiformis and keratosis pilaris.
These are rashes that are very itchy and they often appear on the torse, arms, elbows, face, hairline, and buttocks. There are other irritations to the skin as well that could be a sign and some mimic eczema.
Migraine Headaches
Headaches are common and can be related to many health problems. Migraines that come along with a skin rash, low iron, and diarrhea could paint another picture however. If your headaches come along within 2 hours of eating something contain gluten then it could certainly signify a problem.
Painful Joints
An intolerance can cause a response that causes inflammation in your body. This can cause many signs such as joint pain that is diagnosed wrongly as arthritis.
You may not be getting the right treatment for the problems you are having if you are having a problem with gluten and don’t realize it and this could cause the joint pain to continue to get worse.
Intolerance to Lactose
If you have a problem digesting foods that contain lactose then you problem have a problem with gluten as well. This is because gluten can compromise the lining of the stomach and lactase.
If you have this problem with others that are on this list than you might really need to think about eliminating gluten and seeing if there is a drastic improvement.
Fatigue That Is Chronic
Chronic fatigue alone cannot be an indicator of having and intolerance to gluten. However if you have other issues with this especially one such as diarrhea then it could be a pretty good indicator. If you are not able to absorb the vitamins and nutrients that you need then it is certain that fatigue could take over.
Fibromyalgia
Some experts think that fibromyalgia is not a disease but rather a symptom. This is when the connective tissues because inflamed and it is one of the best indicators of an intolerance to gluten. The body can perceive gluten as its enemy and then send antibodies out to aid in destroying it.
The antibodies are responsible for destroying the intestines and stomach lining. If you have been told that you have this condition you should certainly try gluten elimination and see if it helps you to feel better. also read Foods to Avoid When You Have Fibromyalgia
Neurologic Symptoms
Another sign that you might have an intolerance is neurologic symptoms. You may experience a feeling of not having your balance or being dizzy. This alone as with migraines and fatigue is not enough.
However, if you find that you have this as well as many other symptoms on this list then chances are pretty good that it is a problem you have with gluten and the way your body handles and processes it.
When looking at whether or not you may want to cut gluten out decide on how many of these symptoms you have. If you find that you have several then it can’t hurt to change your diet for a while and see what happens.
Many people find that the diet changes are simple because the grocery stores now carry a variety of gluten free products that you can use and there is not much difference in the taste. If you can feel better by changing your diet it is certainly worth a try.
