Gluten is a protein found in many types of food that contain wheat, rye, and barley. For most people, consuming gluten is harmless. However, there are some people who experience negative health effects when they eat gluten.

Symptoms of Gluten Sensitivity

Gluten sensitivity is a condition in which a person experiences an adverse reaction to gluten. The symptoms of gluten sensitivity can vary widely from person to person, but some of the most common symptoms include:.

Abdominal pain
Bloating
Diarrhea
Constipation
Joint pain
Headaches
Fatigue

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that is caused by the ingestion of gluten. When someone with celiac disease eats gluten, their immune system attacks the lining of their small intestine.

Over time, this can lead to damage to the small intestine that can make it difficult for the body to absorb nutrients from food.

Testing for Celiac Disease

The only way to diagnose celiac disease is through a blood test and a biopsy of the small intestine. If you are experiencing symptoms of celiac disease, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider about getting tested.

Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity

Non-celiac gluten sensitivity is a condition in which a person experiences symptoms similar to those of celiac disease, but their blood tests and biopsies do not show the characteristic damage to the small intestine.

Non-celiac gluten sensitivity is a relatively new condition, and there is still much that is not understood about it.

The Gluten-Free Diet

The treatment for celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity is a gluten-free diet. A gluten-free diet involves avoiding all foods that contain wheat, rye, and barley.

This can be challenging because gluten is used in many types of food, including bread, pasta, and cereal.

Is Gluten the Root of Your Health Problems?

For most people, gluten is a harmless protein that is found in many types of food. However, for some people, consuming gluten can cause a number of negative health effects.

If you are experiencing symptoms that are related to gluten sensitivity or celiac disease, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider about getting tested and starting a gluten-free diet.

Conclusion

Gluten sensitivity and celiac disease are conditions that can cause a number of uncomfortable symptoms.

If you suspect that you might have one of these conditions, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider about getting tested so that you can start a gluten-free diet and start feeling better.