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 Are
You Allergic to Wheat and Gluten?
Among the most common food allergies are
wheat and gluten. But exactly what is a food
allergy? Is it the same as food intolerance?
Allergies occur when the body mistakes an
ingredient in food as harmful, so it
prepares to defend itself against the
attacker (the food).
Allergy symptoms develop when the body's immune
system releases antibodies to battle the
"harmful" food. Food intolerance is the response
of the digestive system to an irritating food,
rather than a response of the immune system.
The digestive system can’t properly digest or
breakdown the food, creating an intolerance.
Wheat allergy symptoms can include skin rashes
or hives, nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea, itchy
skin, eczema, joint and muscle aches and pains,
shortness of breath, chest pain, swelling of the
airways, and anaphylaxis.
Symptoms of wheat intolerance may include
stomach pain, nausea, cramps, bloating, gas,
vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea, headaches,
irritability, and an unexplained runny nose or
itchy eyes.
Symptoms of gluten allergy include upper
repository tract problems, fatigue and chronic
fatigue syndrome, mouth ulcers, anemia,
osteoporosis, weight loss, short stature in
children, diarrhea, constipation, bloating and
other digestive tract problems, depression,
Autism and attention problems, skin problems,
and irritability.
Symptoms of gluten intolerance include weight
loss or weight gain, nutritional deficiencies,
bloating, pain, gas, constipation, diarrhea,
aching joints, depression, eczema, headaches,
fatigue, irritability and behavioral changes,
cramps, tingling and numbness, and slow infant
and child growth.
Other than severity of symptoms, the differences
between allergies and intolerances are that an
allergy can be triggered even when a tiny amount
of the offending food is eaten. On the other
hand, food intolerance is related to the
amount of food consumed. A small amount may
not cause any disturbance, but eating a large
portion, or eating the food frequently may
produce symptoms.
What about Celiac Disease? Celiac disease is
similar to gluten intolerance, but the outcome
is more severe. With celiac disease, the inner
lining of the small intestine has an allergic
reaction to the gluten that is present in wheat
and other grains such as rye.
This reaction causes the small intestine to
become inflamed and reduces absorption of the
nutrients that pass through the small intestine
from food. One of the main symptoms of Celiac
Disease is gastrointestinal problems that
include bloating, gas, cramps, diarrhea and
fatty stools.
Eventual signs of malnourishment will appear as
a result of nutrients not being properly
absorbed by the small intestine. Some people
with Celiac Disease can tolerate small amounts
of gluten, but others will experience severe
symptoms within just a few minutes of eating an
offending food.
Treatment for wheat and gluten allergy or
intolerance and Celiac Disease all involve
removing wheat and gluten from your diet.
Avoidance of wheat, rye, barley and oats is
necessary. Foods that contain these ingredients
must also be avoided. Avoid processed foods and
beer, and be careful with vitamins and
supplements that contain gluten as well.
See also:
What is the Difference Between Wheat and Gluten?
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