*This web site is intended to provide basic information about Celiac Disease/Gluten Intolerance. Information contained herein has been approved by the GlutenSecret.com advisory board. It is not intended to provide, nor does it constitute, medical advice. Dietary changes based on information on this web site should not be initiated without first consulting a physician.
GlutenSecret.com© 2009
GlutenSecret.com© 2009
Gluten Intolerance
Often being referred to as Celiac Disease, Gluten Intolerance is an extreme sensitivity to the protein Gluten, which is found in wheat, barley and rye. It has an impact on millions of people in the United States and all over the world. It is estimated that 1 in 7 people have either a Wheat/Gluten Intolerance. They are both alike, except for one distinction. Some people are Intolerant to the Gluten in Wheat, but not to the Gluten in other Grains, while Gluten Intolerance refers to people who are intolerant to all Gluten.
Different from a Wheat Food Allergy, which usually results in an Allergic Response with symptoms such as itchiness and rash, Gluten Intolerance leads to inflammation and damage in the small intestine. This results in the body's inability to absorb nutrients from food, and damage to the small intestine can occur. Symptoms can appear small or large, and can include abdominal pain and diarrhea, or not appear at ALL.
Most people go undiagnosed and are experiencing symptoms such as Weight Loss, Weight Gain, Osteoporosis and Infertility. Patients may also face increased risk of conditions including Diabetes, Thyroid Disease, Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis and some Cancers.
Causes
Gluten Intolerance is an inherited Autoimmune Disease and it is important to understand the cause and how the Immune System reacts to Gluten. Damages can occur when an individual come into contact/consumes even the smallest amount of Gluten, which is enough to trigger an Immune Response. At this point, the Immune System identifies the allergen, Gluten, to be harmful and mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues/cells in the process with cells called Antibodies. This destruction and tissue damage produced by the Immune System is caused from the Autoimmune Disease which leads to malnutrition, as the intestinal damages weaken the body's ability to absorb nutrients from food. Malnutrition can lead to other medical problems and can increase your risk for other illnesses.
Often being referred to as Celiac Disease, Gluten Intolerance is an extreme sensitivity to the protein Gluten, which is found in wheat, barley and rye. It has an impact on millions of people in the United States and all over the world. It is estimated that 1 in 7 people have either a Wheat/Gluten Intolerance. They are both alike, except for one distinction. Some people are Intolerant to the Gluten in Wheat, but not to the Gluten in other Grains, while Gluten Intolerance refers to people who are intolerant to all Gluten.
Different from a Wheat Food Allergy, which usually results in an Allergic Response with symptoms such as itchiness and rash, Gluten Intolerance leads to inflammation and damage in the small intestine. This results in the body's inability to absorb nutrients from food, and damage to the small intestine can occur. Symptoms can appear small or large, and can include abdominal pain and diarrhea, or not appear at ALL.
Most people go undiagnosed and are experiencing symptoms such as Weight Loss, Weight Gain, Osteoporosis and Infertility. Patients may also face increased risk of conditions including Diabetes, Thyroid Disease, Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis and some Cancers.
Causes
Gluten Intolerance is an inherited Autoimmune Disease and it is important to understand the cause and how the Immune System reacts to Gluten. Damages can occur when an individual come into contact/consumes even the smallest amount of Gluten, which is enough to trigger an Immune Response. At this point, the Immune System identifies the allergen, Gluten, to be harmful and mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues/cells in the process with cells called Antibodies. This destruction and tissue damage produced by the Immune System is caused from the Autoimmune Disease which leads to malnutrition, as the intestinal damages weaken the body's ability to absorb nutrients from food. Malnutrition can lead to other medical problems and can increase your risk for other illnesses.
Symptoms
Abdominal pain
Aching joints
Anemia (due to poor absorption of iron as well as reduced absorption of Vitamin B12, fatigue, and breathlessness.)
Appetite Loss
Arthritis
Asthma
Bed Wetting
Bleeding
Blister
Bloating
Breast Pain
Chest Pain
Confusion / For Get Fulness
Constipation
Cough
Cramps, tingling and numbness
Dandruff
Decline in dental health
Depression
Diarrhea (possibly the symptom that is the most major)
Dyspepsia (an uncomfortable sensation or pain in the upper area of the stomach)
Abdominal pain
Aching joints
Anemia (due to poor absorption of iron as well as reduced absorption of Vitamin B12, fatigue, and breathlessness.)
Appetite Loss
Arthritis
Asthma
Bed Wetting
Bleeding
Blister
Bloating
Breast Pain
Chest Pain
Confusion / For Get Fulness
Constipation
Cough
Cramps, tingling and numbness
Dandruff
Decline in dental health
Depression
Diarrhea (possibly the symptom that is the most major)
Dyspepsia (an uncomfortable sensation or pain in the upper area of the stomach)
Earache
Eczema
Elbow Pain
Exhaustion
Eye , Itchy/Red
Eye Discharge
Eye Pain
Faintness
Fat excreted in stools (because of poor digestion)
Fatigue
Fever
Finger Pain / Injury
Flatulence
Foot Pain/Itch
Gastro-intestinal problems
Hand Pain
Head aches
Hearing Loss
Infertility, irregular menstrual cycle and miscarriage
Irritability and behavioural changes
Nutritional deficiencies
Slow infant and child growth
Weight loss or weight gain
Eczema
Elbow Pain
Exhaustion
Eye , Itchy/Red
Eye Discharge
Eye Pain
Faintness
Fat excreted in stools (because of poor digestion)
Fatigue
Fever
Finger Pain / Injury
Flatulence
Foot Pain/Itch
Gastro-intestinal problems
Hand Pain
Head aches
Hearing Loss
Infertility, irregular menstrual cycle and miscarriage
Irritability and behavioural changes
Nutritional deficiencies
Slow infant and child growth
Weight loss or weight gain
Diagnosis and Testing
There are numerous methods for diagnosing Gluten Intolerance, also referred to as Celiac Disease. It is important to see your primary physician to identify symptoms of Malabsorption and Malnutrition, before beginning any tests. There are two major tests available to doctors for diagnosing Gluten Intolerance, which include, but are not limited to the following;
Blood Test; A screening for the presence of specific antibodies with in the bloodstream. When certain antibodies such as Endomysium (bands of connective tissue spread among muscular fibers) and Transglutaminase (a substance that repairs injured or inflamed tissue) are present, it very likely to have positive result for Gluten Intolerance. These antibodies form when the Immune System reacts to the presence of Gluten substances and it views as them threatening.
Biopsy of the Small Intestine; a procedure known as a type of upper Endoscopy, where the patient usually receives general Anastasia or a sedative and consisting of obtaining a tissue sample from the small intestine. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), is the procedure that involves a licensed professional using a small camera that is inserted down the throat, in a flexible tube, to navigate thru the intestinal lining and remove a small sample for testing. This method of diagnosing Gluten Intolerance is most commonly administered because of its high degree of accuracy. A professional will then examine the sample to check for characteristics that indicate Gluten Intolerance, such as a loss of Villi (hair like follicles found on the lining of the small intestine that absorb nutrients into the bloodstream).
Treatment
Treatment is composed of Gluten-Free Diet/Lifestyle, in which you avoid ALL forms of the foods/ingredients in relation to the Allergen(s). For people who are extremely sensitive or may be Intolerant, this involves avoidance of and ANY exposure to the Allergen. This includes Consuming (check medications), Touching (same/shared surface as allergen), Inhaling (occupational hazard), or Application (shampoo, creams, lotions, make-up, etc.).
In fact, maintaining a Gluten-Free Diet/Lifestyle eventually allows intestinal damage already caused by the Autoimmune Disease, to heal.
Those who successfully practiced a Gluten-Free Diet often saw positive changes in physical symptoms and behaviors. Healing for Young children occur within 3(three) to 6(six) months while Adults can take up to several years. At this point young children can experience growth spurts, which is common.
There are numerous methods for diagnosing Gluten Intolerance, also referred to as Celiac Disease. It is important to see your primary physician to identify symptoms of Malabsorption and Malnutrition, before beginning any tests. There are two major tests available to doctors for diagnosing Gluten Intolerance, which include, but are not limited to the following;
Blood Test; A screening for the presence of specific antibodies with in the bloodstream. When certain antibodies such as Endomysium (bands of connective tissue spread among muscular fibers) and Transglutaminase (a substance that repairs injured or inflamed tissue) are present, it very likely to have positive result for Gluten Intolerance. These antibodies form when the Immune System reacts to the presence of Gluten substances and it views as them threatening.
Biopsy of the Small Intestine; a procedure known as a type of upper Endoscopy, where the patient usually receives general Anastasia or a sedative and consisting of obtaining a tissue sample from the small intestine. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), is the procedure that involves a licensed professional using a small camera that is inserted down the throat, in a flexible tube, to navigate thru the intestinal lining and remove a small sample for testing. This method of diagnosing Gluten Intolerance is most commonly administered because of its high degree of accuracy. A professional will then examine the sample to check for characteristics that indicate Gluten Intolerance, such as a loss of Villi (hair like follicles found on the lining of the small intestine that absorb nutrients into the bloodstream).
Treatment
Treatment is composed of Gluten-Free Diet/Lifestyle, in which you avoid ALL forms of the foods/ingredients in relation to the Allergen(s). For people who are extremely sensitive or may be Intolerant, this involves avoidance of and ANY exposure to the Allergen. This includes Consuming (check medications), Touching (same/shared surface as allergen), Inhaling (occupational hazard), or Application (shampoo, creams, lotions, make-up, etc.).
In fact, maintaining a Gluten-Free Diet/Lifestyle eventually allows intestinal damage already caused by the Autoimmune Disease, to heal.
Those who successfully practiced a Gluten-Free Diet often saw positive changes in physical symptoms and behaviors. Healing for Young children occur within 3(three) to 6(six) months while Adults can take up to several years. At this point young children can experience growth spurts, which is common.
Gluten Intolerance
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