Symptoms of Gluten Allergy

Gluten is a type of protein that is found in food grains including wheat, rye, oats, barley and malt. Proteins are said to be one of the essential components in one's diet. However, gluten can also cause certain allergic reactions in some people. When a person has gluten allergy, the interior lining of the small intestine is damaged due to the presence of gluten. Due to this, the small intestine fails to absorb the essential nutrients that the body requires. Individuals with family history of gluten allergy are at a very high risk of having this problem. It may also occur due to pregnancy, surgery, childbirth and emotional stress. It is very difficult to diagnose gluten allergy because the symptoms that occur to a person with this allergy can also be found in many other diseases. Understanding the various symptoms of gluten allergy is extremely crucial for exact and timely diagnosis.

Gluten Allergy Symptoms

• The most common symptom of gluten allergy is fatigue. As the body does not receive the essential nutrients that it requires, the person feels tired all the time and does not have the energy to perform even the simple everyday duties of routine life. If gluten allergy is not diagnosed early, the person may also suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome as well as depression.
• Hives skin allergy is another sign of gluten allergy. When you become allergic to gluten, your body produces certain harmful chemicals that causes the skin to swell. The reddish bumps on the skin can also occur due to some insect bite, however it is also one of the very common causes of gluten food allergy symptoms.
• Gluten allergy also tends to cause stomach problems. If you are affected by this allergy, you may experience diarrhea, abdominal cramps, constipation, minor rectal bleeding, etc. It is also likely for you to experience stomach bloating and weight loss. Gluten allergy may also cause nausea and vomiting in some cases. You may also be at the risk of having asthma because of this allergy.
• Anemia is also one of the symptom of gluten allergy, where the person may be detected with lowered red blood cells. If gluten allergy occurs in a pregnant woman, it can also lead to miscarriage. Gluten allergy in women can even cause infertility and problems in the menstruation cycle.
• The above symptoms of gluten allergy are commonly seen when an adult is affected. When a child has gluten allergy, the symptoms that follows would be a little different. Children who have this problem grow very slowly, have abnormal stools and may also suffer from malabsorption. Many researchers have indicated that children with autism may be preceded with a history of gluten intolerance.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Gluten Allergy
The most reliable way of testing for gluten allergies is by performing endoscopy of the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract. Another method of diagnosing gluten allergy would be by performing blood tests. The biggest problem of having gluten allergy is that it cannot be completely cured. Children having gluten allergy may be cured fully, however adults will have it as long as they live. So, the only treatment measure one can take is to eliminate gluten from one's diet completely.

The main foods that should be included in a person having gluten allergy should be maize and rice. A professional dietitian would be able to help you to chart out a gluten free diet plan. You can also search the Internet, which exposes you to a wide variety of delicious gluten free food list and recipes.

The symptoms of gluten allergy can cause extreme discomfort among people. Before any of the symptoms become too severe, it would be beneficial for the person to act quickly and consult the doctor. It is also extremely important to eliminate this protein entirely from their diet, to avoid health problems in the future.