Gluten Allergy Symptoms in Adults

Gluten is a protein, or to be more specific a composite of two proteins, known as glutenin and gliadin found in wheat, barley, rye and oats. This composite protein can adversely affect the intestinal lining in some individuals, who are allergic or intolerant to gluten. People can develop gluten intolerance at any age. Individuals who develop gluten intolerance experiences several annoying and painful symptoms after consuming foods that contain gluten. The symptoms can range from mild inflammation of the mucosa of the small intestine to severe gastrointestinal problems. In fact, severe cases of gluten allergy can lead to celiac disease, if left untreated. In celiac disease, the immune system attacks and damages the lining of the small intestine, especially the small, finger like projections that line the intestine. These tiny projections are known as villi, damage to which can impair the ability of the intestine to absorb nutrients effectively.

Signs of Gluten Allergy

It can be asymptomatic at times. If symptoms are present, then they can vary from person to person. Many individuals can get the symptoms immediately after consuming foods containing gluten, while others can develop the symptoms slowly after a few hours. The symptoms can resemble the wheat allergy symptoms in adults, though both are two different conditions. Wheat allergy can result from an allergy or abnormal reaction of the immune system to one or more proteins found in wheat.

• Like any allergic reaction, it can also produce symptoms like, skin rash, hives, dermatitis, eczema, unusual swelling around the mouth or lips, breathing difficulty and asthma.
• Gastrointestinal ailments and bowel discomfort can be some of the most important gluten intolerance symptoms in adults. Usually, people with gluten intolerance experiences abdominal bloating, flatulence, constipation or diarrhea, abdominal cramps, abdominal pain and nausea, after eating gluten containing foods.
• Over a period of time, gluten intolerance can adversely affect the ability of the intestine to absorb nutrients, which can cause malabsorption. Malabsorption can cause deficiency of important nutrients, which can lead to unexplained weight loss and fatigue.
• Apart from these, some other common symptoms are, headaches, depression, irritability, mouth ulcers, muscle cramps and joint pain.
• Gluten allergy, over a period of time can also cause several other health problems. If go unnoticed and untreated, gluten intolerance can cause osteoporosis, celiac disease, Crohn's disease and anemia. It may also have an association with cancer.

Managing Gluten Allergy

Presently, there is no cure for gluten allergy, though individual symptoms can be treated with medications. But, the treatment for gluten intolerance is to avoid the allergen, which in this case is the food that contains gluten. This however is not as simple as it sounds. For complete exclusion of gluten from your diet, you have to read the label of every food product before purchasing. Gluten can be found in wheat, rye, oats, barley and foods made from them, which means that a large number of baked and processed foods contain gluten. Even many medications contain gluten. So, before purchasing any food product, you have to make sure that it is gluten-free.

While following a gluten-free diet, it should be kept in mind that the foods that contain gluten are also the foods that are high in fiber. Consuming enough fiber rich foods is very important for the health of the gastrointestinal tract or the digestive system. Therefore, be sure to include more fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet to get enough fiber while avoiding the foods that contain gluten. This can help you to avoid these symptoms, without compromising the dietary intake of fiber. You can also have a talk with your physician or a dietitian to know more about how to manage gluten intolerance or allergy effectively with a proper diet.