Living our lives to the fullest may not always be easy, especially when it comes to a sensitive diet. What is nourishment to some could be life-threatening to some others. Identifying food-related problems such as allergies and intolerances can be challenging. One such allergy is Gluten. It is so difficult to identify—thanks to all the common symptoms it shares with Celiac disease.
Gluten is a protein found in cereals like wheat, barley and rye. It is the protein that binds it together, i.e., gluten is what holds our pasta and bread from falling apart. Unfortunately, some people develop an allergy to gluten and develop symptoms like bloating, constipation and diarrhea, pain in the abdomen, nausea and so on. These symptoms are typical to Celiac disease as well. So how can we tell them apart?
How to tell them apart-Gluten allergy or Celiac?
That’s a tough call but close monitoring is the key. If a person is suffering from Celiac disease and if they ingest gluten, the immune system will attack against its own body’s tissue. Whereas, if a person is having gluten allergy intakes gluten, the effects it would have on their body is relatively short-term like bloating or abdominal pain. The effects of gluten allergy are usually not life-threatening as well.
Watch your body
Closely monitoring our body is the key to identify what’s going wrong with it. Since recognizing your condition solely by what symptoms you have is a tough grind, the trick lies in understanding WHEN your symptoms get triggered—whether it is after you had a meal with gluten in it or if you are experiencing those symptoms without any reason. If the latter is right, you may not be having a Gluten allergy.
It’s either of the two
Celiac disease is an autoimmune genetic disorder that affects about 1 in 100 individuals in the world. People with Celiac are genetically susceptible to gluten intolerance. It can develop at any age and if left untreated, can lead to serious health problems. But you don’t have to have celiac disease to have a gluten tolerance. So, all with celiac is gluten intolerant but not all with gluten allergy has Celiac.
Getting the proper diagnosis is pivotal
We know self-diagnosis is not always conclusive and taking your query to the internet usually doesn’t give relieving news. So, if you suspect something and noticed changes going on in your body after a gluten intake, it is always best to follow up with your physician. With the right care, medicine and control, gluten allergy is very manageable.
Break in the clouds
There is nothing too upsetting about being allergic to gluten because a gluten-free diet can be just as delicious and easy. We know, getting used to a whole new diet and lifestyle can be distressing but with the right options and support, you can reach that goal too. We are with you!