Living With A Gluten Allergy
If suddenly you find yourself suffering from a gluten allergy you are not alone. It’s important to learn to live with a gluten allergy and the best way to do that is to understand the allergy.
With a gluten allergy your immune system will respond to the gluten which is found in a variety of foods that have the proteins found in cereal grains. The difference between a wheat allergy and a gluten allergy is Celiac a disease of the gastrointestinal tract.
Not everyone but a majority of people that suffer from a gluten allergy will develop Celiac which targets the gastrointestinal tract. In fact it wasn’t until recently when it was determined that Celiac was caused by a gluten allergy. Prior there had been no connection made.
A person suffering from a gluten allergy must ensure that they have a gluten free diet. When diagnosed with Celiac disease one must ensure that their diet is gluten free to ensure that the problems associated with Celiac are avoided.
When a gluten allergy turns into Celiac disease the biggest problem is that it does not just affect the gastrointestinal tract, it also affect the brain causing brain dysfunction, inflammation of the lungs, and arthritis.
The classic symptoms that accompanies a gluten allergy that has become Celiac is diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloating, weight loss, iron deficiency, and malnutrition as a result of not absorbing the nutrient. And that’s just the beginning of what this dreadful disease can do.
For example a gluten allergy can actually affect the tissue causing eczema, skin rashes and itching, and it can even cause hives. It can also cause respiratory problems including asthma and it can cause
Arthritis will develop in about 45% of those suffering from a gluten allergy that do nothing about it and about 15% in those that change to a gluten free diet. Those with Celiac see an increased risk of esophagus, pharynx, and small intestinal cancer. Fibroid lung disease is also seen at a much higher rate than in those that do not have Celiac or a gluten allergy.
Recently studies have shown that a gluten allergy is often combined with a dairy allergy. If you know you have a gluten problem it’s a good idea to replace dairy products with soy products or some other alternative.
Be sure to include natural supplements in your diet when suffering from a gluten allergy. There are several things they can do for you. They can replace the nutrients you are missing because of a diet that is gluten free and they can help restore the body to health and build the immune system back up to a healthy state.
With a gluten allergy you want gluten free diet will have no wheat, barley, rye in any form. The best diets are made up of foods that are good for you and also foods that taste good. Try to make the changes so as not be depressed by a long list of what you can’t eat. You gluten free diet should be comprehensive.
A gluten allergy can be a tough diagnosis to hear but once you know what’s wrong it’s much easier to start making yourself feel better.
Steve Johnson
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/living-with-a-gluten-allergy-133679.html
June 29 2009 08:05 pm | Allergy
June 29th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
I have a gluten allergy and have been off it for 2 years. Is it normal for my joints to appear swollen?
I eat ridiculously healthily, but I lived with the allergy undiagnosed for at least 5 years, so I don't know if this is why it is taking such a long time for my system to recover??
June 30th, 2009 at 1:07 am
It sounds like you have coeliac (celiac) disease. This can take a couple of years to resolve. It is also associated with other autoimmune diseases. So if it doesn't get better shortly you may need to be sure you don't have another autoimmune disease.
The other thing is to ensure (even though you eat really well) that you are not taking gluten which is hidden in many foods.
The websites may help.
References :
http://www.gastro.net.au/diets/glutenfree.html
http://www.coeliacsociety.com.au/
June 30th, 2009 at 1:09 am
Yes its normal to have joint pain, I did too. If you went 5 years with it undiagnosed that means your body is damaged. It will take 2 years for it to heal entirely. While doing so take a multivitamin, calcium with a magnesium together and a b12 vitamin. . Over time this will heal your body. I so know what you are going through because I suffer with celiac disease-allergic reaction to gluten. Check out my profile there you will find a link then the forum for people like us. There you can have all of your questions answered. If you do have any other q's please feel free to email me.
References :
June 30th, 2009 at 1:11 am
It is not normal for your joints to be swollen. It could be many things, but if multiple joints are swollen, then it is likely either an infection or some other system-wide problem, like celiac disease. However, most people show improvements within a month of going gluten-free (I showed improvements starting 2 days later). By two years' time, you should be symptom-free and completely healed.
Unless … You are accidentally getting gluten from an unknown source or you have another health issue.
References :
July 24th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
I would like to add a comment to the question about joint pain and if it’s normal. It is definitely not normal so let’s look at what should be done:
1. There was a reply that mentioned the importance of ensuring there was no gluten “sneaking” into the diet. That is valid and definitely a good first step.
2. The area I find extremely overlooked is that of secondary infections. In a gluten sensitive individual the immune system has gotten extremely compromised from years of gluten ingestion. While removing gluten is critical, its removal will not eradicate a parasite, amoeba, or bacteria that infiltrated the small intestine earlier. There is a specific infectious organism that we see frequently here at my clinic, HealthNOW Medical Center, that specifically causes joint pain and swelling. While I’m not in any way intending to diagnose you, it is a frequently missed area and all too often these “hidden” infection are not identified and the patient is instead chastized for not being diligent in their diet.
3. There is also the possibility of other food reactions - diary, soy, corn, etc that are very common and can be a source of inflammation as well.
I hope this helps and please feel free to contact me to answer any further questions. Much can be done in this area and I don’t want you suffering needlessly.
To your good health,
Dr Vikki Petersen
Founder of HealthNOW Medical Center
Co-author of The Gluten Effect
http://www.glutendoctors.blogspot.com