6 Symptoms of Being Gluten Intolerant: How to Identify and Manage Gluten Sensitivity

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Do you have unexplained digestive problems or feel weak and fatigued frequently? You may be wondering if you have a gluten intolerance. Gluten sensitivity is different than celiac disease or wheat allergies. This article explores the most common symptoms of being gluten intolerant, how healthcare providers diagnose gluten issues, and practical ways to manage them through diet and lifestyle.

What is sluten sensitivity?

Gluten sensitivity, also termed non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), refers to difficulty digesting gluten. Gluten is a protein naturally found in common grains like wheat, barley and rye used to make bread, pasta, cereals and other frequent food staples. In someone with gluten intolerance, exposure to these grains can trigger uncomfortable symptoms without necessarily causing permanent damage to the small intestines.

Common signs of sossible gluten problems

Reactions vary widely, but telling symptoms of being gluten intolerant can include:

1. Digestive troubles like bloating, pain, cramps, gas, diarrhea or constipation, especially after eating grains
2. Headaches, fatigue and feeling mentally foggy frequently
3. Itchy skin conditions or unexpected rashes
4. Achy, stiff muscles and joints
5. Mood issues like anxiety or sadness
6. Sudden weight loss or gain without a clear cause

Because nutrient absorption suffers with gluten intolerance, deficiencies in iron, calcium or B vitamins may gradually emerge too, leading to tiredness, frequent illnesses or conditions like anemia. Carefully tracking symptoms and their timing in relation to meals can reveal suspicious patterns necessitating testing.

Comparing gluten-related conditions

Gluten sensitivity differs from celiac disease and wheat allergies in important ways:

• Celiac Disease: Immune system attacks the small intestine walls when gluten is present causing long-term damage.
• Wheat Allergy: Immediate immune response triggered from exposure to any wheat proteins. Can potentially be life-threatening.
• Gluten Sensitivity: Gluten exposure causes immune reactions and inflammation-related symptoms without directly attacking intestinal tissue.
  

Getting an accurate diagnosis

Since gluten sensitivity symptoms overlap many other conditions, specific testing helps properly identify gluten issues:

Family health history evaluation

Discussing related conditions in genetic relatives provides context aiding diagnosis. Personal and family history of autoimmune disorders, digestive conditions, and nutrient deficiencies offer clues guiding testing .

Food and GI Symptom Journals Recording detailed timing between consuming potential trigger foods and emergence of gastrointestinal, skin, brain fog or joint pain symptoms reveals suggestive patterns indicating selective sensitivity. Maintaining a dated journal for 2-4 weeks before testing catches suggestive affiliations.

Blood Tests Screening serum blood levels for IgA and IgG antibodies associated with gluten reactivity like anti-tTg, anti-DGP or anti-gliadin when exhibiting symptoms indicates immune system reactions to gluten proteins if detected elevated. These support sensitivity and warrant further investigation when borderline.

Formal intestinal biopsies

The gold standard for confirming full celiac disease involves intestinal endoscopy with small bowel tissue sampling under anesthesia allowing visual confirmation of flattened villi and intestinal damage meeting celiac criteria under microscopic examination. This helps differentiate from general sensitivity.

Genetic Screening DNA tests identify gene HLA variants like HLA-DQ2/8 that increase genetic risk for developing celiac disease. Genetic screening helps supplement diagnosis when other testing is equivocal rather than definitively confirming condition outright.

Elimination Diet Challenges Removing gluten sources entirely for 4-8 weeks then methodically reintroducing while tracking acute symptom recurrence often provides diagnostic confirmation via tangible symptomatic reactions to the protein after avoidance period. Helps identify triggers.

Combining these data points allows gastroenterologists to officially diagnose the specific gluten-related condition and coordinate elimination diets or continued monitoring appropriate to findings. Don’t prematurely attempt restrictive diets before thorough testing.

Living well despite gluten sensitivity

If tests confirm a gluten issue, significant lifestyle changes help manage ongoing symptoms and wellbeing:

• Switching to a strict gluten-free diet avoiding wheat, barley and rye
• Closely reading all product labels for hidden gluten
• Preparing gluten-free meals at home using approved ingredients
• Avoiding cross-contamination in the kitchen by restricting gluten
• Joining online support groups to aid coping
• Speaking with a registered dietitian to prevent nutritional shortfalls

While challenging initially, those steps get easier by carefully planning shopping trips and meals. With some thoughtful accommodations, healthy, happy gluten-free living is absolutely achievable! Trust your instincts, communicate openly with caring health providers, and take comfort that incredible gluten-free foods make the transition much more manageable if your body does react poorly. Thriving despite gluten sensitivity is possible with the right perspective and preparation!

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Reference:

• Bardella, M. T., Fredella, C., Saladino, V., Trovato, C., Cesana, B. M., Quatrini, M., & Prampolini, L. (2005). Gluten intolerance: gender-and age-related differences in symptoms. Scandinavian journal of gastroenterology, 40(1), 15-19.
• Araya, M., Bascuñán, K. A., Alarcón-Sajarópulos, D., Cabrera-Chávez, F., Oyarzún, A., Fernández, A., & Ontiveros, N. (2020). Living with gluten and other food intolerances: Self-reported diagnoses and management. Nutrients, 12(6), 1892.