Gluten Symptoms: Go with your gut!

Introduction
When it comes to food allergies, almost 12 million Americans are afflicted by ‘the big eight’ with occurrences of about 300,000 emergency visits to the hospital as well as a hundred to two hundred deaths a year. Yet it’s not necessarily the number of deaths that are alarming enough but how one feels when the body responds adversely to a food protein. And for some of you who are allergic to particular foods, the aggravation can seemingly take on proportions that can seem more serious than just the matter of life and death itself.

And as one of the big eight allergies, gluten sensitivity is no longer considered a rare allergy with after effects that span from mild inflammation of the mucosa of the small intestine to severe coeliac disease. But before we take a closer look at gluten sensitivity and its symptoms, let’s first understand why and how gluten sensitivity occurs.

What is Gluten Sensitivity?

Gluten is a composite of the proteins gliadin and glutenin that are found in wheat, rye, triticale and barley, very different from the glutens of maize and rice. And you find it everywhere, in almost every thing you eat these days. And I mean everything, from bread to cakes to shampoos, conditioners, moisturizers and soaps to pasta and sauces and so on and so forth.

Some folks attribute the higher-than-required gluten intake due to the processed foods that have become part and parcel of our lives, with almost one out five people reacting to this high intake in one way or the other. And if that’s not enough, gluten is also used as a food additive in products that have nothing to do with the aforementioned cereal grains.

So, in gluten sensitivity, your small intestine that takes a real beating with the intestinal villi which is responsible in absorbing nutrients that are taken from the food. Er… so digestion becomes a real problem until you remove the gluten from the aforementioned location.

Gluten Sensitivity – Symptoms & Cure
For people who know that they are sensitive to gluten, a gluten-free diet will change things immediately and effectively but what about those who aren’t sure if what they’re afflicted with is indeed, gluten sensitivity.
So, here’s an exhaustive list of symptoms that indicate gluten intolerance:
a) Gastroenteritis and Diarrhea
b) Bloating
c) Constipation
d) Heartburn and Gastric Reflux
e) Exhaustion and Lethargy
f) Conversely, hyperactivity or crankiness
g) Discomfort in the stomach
h) Eating problems
i) Poor Sleep
j) Weight issues
k) Chronic Iron Deficiency
l) Dermatitis, Eczema or bad skin
m) Infertility
n) Running Nose and Sinus Problems
o) Osteoporosis, Bones and Joint Pains
p) Headaches or Migraines
q) Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
r) And the kicker symptom of them all: Autism

So, if one suspects that they struggle with a few of these symptoms, it’s imperative to consult a physician and get tested for gluten sensitivity immediately, and switch to a gluten-free diet which is its only cure! For when it comes to suffering from gluten sensitivity, one will soon discover that the nutrition facts label on any food package for consumption is their best friend!