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The rise of gluten intolerance is assuming alarming proportions in recent years as a total of 8.4 per cent of the world’s population suffers from it. Keep reading this article to know more about what is gluten allergy, what causes gluten allergy, symptoms and course of treatment.
What is Gluten Intolerance or Gluten Allergy?
Gluten is the name given to a group of proteins that is found in grains like wheat, barley, rye and products derived from them such as cereal, pasta and beer among others. Wheat has been consumed by human beings for over 17000 years having originated in what is referred to as “the cradle of civilisation” in the fertile valleys of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, situated in what is today known as Iraq. Barley has similar origins and rye was popularised in the world by the Romans during their quests. All these grains and products made from them have been the mainstay of the diet of several cultures over the centuries.
However, in the modern era, the incidence of gluten intolerance on the rise has raised serious concerns among healthcare and dietary professionals and the general public alike as it may lead to a rage of health conditions including:
- Celiac Disease: Celiac disease is a disorder of autoimmune system. In this condition whenever you take in any food containing gluten, an immune response gets triggered as your body mistakes the gluten to be a virus. This reaction causes inflammation in your body and causes damage to your digestive tract, especially your small intestine.
- Wheat Allergy: Wheat allergy is the term used to refer to an allergic reaction in your body to the proteins present in wheat. This is because your immune system reacts to the gluten in the wheat. Wheat allergy may cause you to suffer from conditions like hives, asthma attacks or in the worst-case scenario, a severe life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis.
- Non-celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS): Non-celiac gluten sensitivity is when you feel bloated, nauseous or tired after consuming any food with gluten content. Such inflammation in your body as a result of non-celiac gluten sensitivity also may result in damage to your digestive tract and small intestine.
The Rise of Gluten Intolerance
Why is gluten intolerance on the rise at noticeable rates in recent decades? There are several factors behind why is gluten allergy in rise such as:
- Changes in dietary patterns away from the traditional diet which stressed on rice to grains
- Genetic predisposition for those who are born with gluten intolerance
- Environmental factors
- Improved awareness of the condition and better diagnostics to be able to accurately diagnose the condition
All these factors together contribute to an increasing number of people globally getting afflicted with gluten intolerance. Some people are born with this condition and others develop it later in life. Allergies to gluten are more common in women as compared to its incidence in men.
Symptoms of Gluten Allergies or Gluten Intolerance
Gluten allergy or gluten intolerance manifests itself in various symptoms which have an adverse effect on different parts of your body. The common symptoms are as follows:
- Abdominal bloating commonly referred to as gas
- Abdominal pain
- Anaemia
- Anxiety
- Brain fog or trouble in concentration
- Constipation
- Depression
- Diarrhoea commonly known as acute loose motion
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Joint pain
- Nausea
- Skin rash
- Vomiting
- Weakness
Thus we see that the symptoms affect not only your gastrointestinal system but also cause adverse effects on your neurological system and otherwise externally.
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Causes of Gluten Allergies
The precise causes of gluten intolerance have not yet been medically determined. There is research which says that it may be a result of intolerance to certain carbohydrate groups found in the same foods. As your body does not have the capacity to absorb these carbohydrates they remain in your intestines and ferment, causing you to fall ill.
Other research points to the effect of wheat and gluten-rich food on the lining of your digestive tract.
In case you suffer from gluten intolerance, the lining of your digestive tract malfunctions, which allows bacteria from your digestive tract to enter your blood and liver disrupting their functioning and causing inflammation in your body.
How is Gluten Intolerance or Gluten Allergy Diagnosed?
Diagnosing gluten allergies or intolerances is extremely challenging as these conditions are heterogeneous in nature. The different types of such allergies or intolerances are diagnosed as follows:
- Celiac Disease: Typically blood tests are used for the specific antibodies that cause celiac disease. Celiac disease is often confirmed after carrying out a biopsy of the small intestine.
- Wheat Allergy: The diagnosis of wheat allergy is carried out based on your medical history. Specific tests like skin prick tests and blood tests for allergen-specific immunoglobulin (IgE) are carried out to measure the level of different IgE antibodies in your blood.
- Non-celiac Gluten Sensitivity: Non-celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS) is diagnosed by excluding all food containing gluten from your diet for a period of a minimum of 6 weeks. During this period you will be asked to keep a thorough record of your symptoms, if any. If your symptoms reduce by maintaining a gluten-free diet, then you are required to reintroduce gluten in your diet. If you once again exhibit the symptoms after altering your diet, then it is most likely that you are suffering from non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
Managing Your Gluten Allergies or Gluten Intolerance
As of date, there exists no cure for the condition of gluten intolerance or allergies caused by gluten. The only way to avoid the symptoms is to cut out gluten from your diet. Work with your doctor and consult a dietician to plan a gluten-free diet for yourself. You need to be vigilant to avoid cross-contamination in other food types and to avoid gluten hidden in processed food and certain medications. You need to avoid all foods derived from wheat if you suffer from wheat allergy. Remember to carry appropriate emergency anti-allergic medications with you at all times.
Your doctor may also suggest adding probiotic foods to your diet. These promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in your gut, potentially reducing symptoms like gas, constipation, and abdominal bloating.
There is some research which points to the fact that ingesting particular enzymes may help you to digest gluten. This however is yet to be properly collaborated on by medical experts.
Risks of Following a Gluten-Free Diet
Following a diet totally free of gluten comes with its own share of risks. It may lead to the following conditions:
Development of hyperglycaemia, commonly referred to as high blood sugar or type 2 diabetes
Deficiency in your nutrition caused by too little fibre content in your diet
How to Live With Gluten Intolerance?
Living with the condition of gluten intolerance or allergies to gluten is difficult but attainable. You need to follow the following precautions:
1. You need to eat a diet low in fat and high in fibre from other food groups such as fruits and vegetables.
2. You need to get regular diagnostics done for the following conditions:
- High cholesterol
- Deficiency in nutrition and vitamins
- Anaemia
3. You should increase your knowledge of what foods, drinks, and other ingredients contain gluten so as to avoid it.
4. You should cultivate a habit of carefully reading the labels showing the details of the ingredients on various foods and beverages.
In Conclusion
The rise of gluten intolerance is a major challenge to the health of society today as the number of people afflicted by it globally is on the rise and there is still not enough research to cure this condition. However, people suffering from gluten allergies may follow a proper diet in order to get relief from this condition. Such management of your diet needs to be followed carefully for a lifetime as the symptoms of gluten allergies will come back if you consume food containing gluten again. However, as following a diet totally free of gluten has its own health risks, work with your doctor and dietician to build the appropriate diet for you and ensure that you follow this treatment plan as exactly recommended.
Additionally, don’t forget to reconfirm with your insurance expert if your health insurance plan offers coverage for any health condition arising out of gluten allergy.
Disclaimers: All plan features, benefits, coverage, and claims underwriting are subject to policy terms and conditions. Kindly refer to the brochure, sales prospectus, and policy documents carefully.
