Gluten allergy symptoms

What is a gluten allergy?

A gluten allergy is caused by the gluten in food. People suffering from coeliac disease or a gluten allergy have a gluten intolerance. Gluten is a protein that is present in wheat, rye, barley, oat, spelt and kamut. In a gluten allergy the lining of the small intestine is damaged. A healthy small intestine has many intestinal folds on the inside, which are lined with tiny projections (villi), forming an enormous surface area for food absorption.

In those with a gluten allergy, the villi of the intestinal lining are damaged by the gluten, resulting in poor absorption of nutrients from food. The body needs these nutrients to be able to function normally.

Cause of gluten allergy

The exact cause of gluten allergy is still not known. What is clear is that genes can play a role. The immune system probably regards gluten as a harmful substance and so makes antibodies to fight it off. These antibodies break down the intestinal lining.

Other researchers believe that Coeliac patients cannot digest the gluten properly. This could be explained by a deficiency of protein-digesting substances (enzymes), which creates fragments that would damage the intestinal lining.

Gluten allergy symptoms

• chronic diarrhea
• constipation
• weight loss
• abnormal stool patterns
• bloated feeling
• stomach ache
• nausea
• flatulence
• anaemia
• fatigue

If you think you may have a gluten allergy, you should seek professional help.

Cure for gluten allergy

A gluten-free diet is the only remedy for a gluten allergy. After starting on a gluten-free diet the complete repair of the intestine lining takes a few months to a year. A gluten-free diet needs to be adhered to closely for the rest of your life.

Breast-feeding protects children to a limited extent from this disorder. The longer the baby is given breast milk, the later the gluten allergy appears.