Awareness of gluten-free eating has increased dramatically in recent years. It is almost impossible to shop for groceries without finding the words “gluten-free” boldly written on most grocery labels. Whether a response to physical symptoms or simply to jump on the bandwagon, many Americans seem to be going “gluten-free.”
Celiac Disease
Celiac disease, is a severe form of gluten intolerance which permits toxins, bacteria and undigested food proteins to seep through the body’s GI barrier and into the bloodstream. Celiac patients experience digestive symptoms such as reflux, bloating, diarrhea, gas, stomach pain and constipation.
Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity
Non-celiac gluten sensitivity shares many of the same symptoms that plague people with celiac disease. But people with gluten sensitivity have primarily non-GI symptoms, such as joint pain, numbness in the arms, fingers or legs, fatigue, depression, mood changes, weight gain, headache and “foggy mind.” However, some may also experience mild digestive problems. If you have been suffering from symptoms that seem to be related to gluten, you may possibly have non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
It may be difficult to identify if you have gluten sensitivity as the symptoms can show up anywhere in the body depending on your susceptibility. To complicate matters, not everyone experiences the same symptoms in the same parts of the body. Additionally, your symptoms may not present immediately after eating gluten and may take several days or even a week to occur.
Non-celiac gluten sensitivity may be diagnosed by blood, stool or saliva testing, or through a process of food exclusion. It is recommended that you first get tested for wheat allergy and for celiac disease. If both prove negative, we may recommend a gluten elimination diet. If your symptoms improve, then it’s likely you are gluten sensitive.
Research estimates that 18 million Americans have gluten sensitivity, six times the amount of Americans who have celiac disease!
Discovering that you have gluten sensitivity could change your life – for the better!
If you think you may be sensitive to gluten, call our offices today at (281) 698-7435 for a consultation.
