Undoubtedly, all of us experience bloat at some point, often associated with excess after special occasions like Thanksgiving.
But bloating for no apparent reason, or bloating only associated with certain foods, such as breads, pastries, and certain sauces, can be a sign of gluten intolerance. Gluten intolerance is a term used to describe a sensitivity to gluten, which includes people with celiac disease (a genetic autoimmune disease that affects the small intestine), wheat allergy, and non-cellulose gluten sensitivity. If your bloating is unexplained or frequent, get checked out!
Changes in your gut
With over 300 known symptoms of gluten intolerance, it’s clear that symptoms vary from person to person.
Then it probably won’t surprise you to learn that some people experience constipation (infrequent, hard stools) while others experience loose, fetid diarrhea (frequent, soft or loose stools).
However, some other conditions can cause changes in your bowel habits. For this reason, the doctor may need to run several tests to rule out other causes.
Fatigue or tiredness
People with celiac disease are often tired. Because their intestines cannot absorb valuable nutrients and vitamins needed for energy.
Fatigue can also be a symptom of anemia, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep disorders, thyroid disorders, or diabetes.
An incredibly itchy rash on some parts of the body
One in four people with celiac disease develop a severe itchy rash, usually on the elbows, knees, buttocks, back, or back of the neck.
The medical term for this rash is dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) and is characterized by a collection of small blisters. Interestingly, people with this rash usually don’t have the digestive symptoms of celiac disease.
Delay or weight loss
Undiagnosed celiac disease in children deprives them of valuable nutrients needed for growth and development. Growth rates may also slow.
Adults and children who have already been diagnosed with celiac disease may lose weight despite having a normal appetite. This is because small amounts of gluten can damage the intestinal lining and cause malabsorption. This damage can persist for many years even when adults switch to a gluten-free diet.
Mouth ulcers or stomatitis
Aphthous ulcers (Aphthous ulcers) are painful small pot-like ulcers that occur on the inside of the cheeks, gums, tongue, and palate. For many years, scientists have not been able to decipher the cause of stomatitis, but it is known that stress, infection, trauma, and certain foods are triggers.
However, for a small number of people, gluten intolerance may be the culprit. In one study, more than 240 patients with recurrent oral ulcers were tested for celiac disease, and seven were confirmed to have the disease. Interestingly, seven populations did not respond to standard ulcer medications, and all had ulcers as their only noticeable symptom.
restless legs syndrome
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder characterized by throbbing, pulling, crawling, and other unpleasant sensations in the legs, and an uncontrollable, often overwhelming urge to move the legs.
Studies show that up to 35 percent of people with celiac disease have RLS. People with both disorders may be iron deficient. Following a gluten-free diet improves RLS symptoms for many people with celiac disease and RLS.
Depression, irritability, and behavioral problems
Gluten has a powerful psychological effect on people with celiac disease.
Mood swings, anxiety, and depression are common among adults with undiagnosed gluten sensitivity. Children can show anger, irritability, and even ADHD. Some researchers believe that 10-25% of all patients with celiac disease may develop neuropathy.
Ask your doctor to check for celiac disease, non-cellulosic gluten sensitivity, or wheat allergy, especially if your child has been diagnosed with a behavioral, mental health, or developmental disorder.
anemia
Iron deficiency anemia is common in people with undiagnosed celiac disease because they don’t absorb enough iron from the food they eat.
When your body’s immune system overreacts to gluten, it damages the tiny hair-like cells that line the small intestine, preventing it from absorbing vital nutrients like iron.
However, once your gut lining begins to heal, it will begin to heal
