With more people becoming gluten intolerant, going gluten-free has become more and more popular.
But how can you tell if you really are gluten intolerant?
For some, eating this mainly wheat-derived protein is just fine, while others experience a full range of symptoms, some of which can make life nightmarish.
If you’ve experienced at least four of these 10 symptoms after eating foods containing gluten, it might be time to think about modifying your diet.
1. Digestive Issues
Some of the most common signs of gluten intolerance are digestive issues like gas, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea after eating foods that contain gluten. Constipation is more common in children. Many individuals diagnosed with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) find that their symptoms go away if they stop eating foods that contain gluten.
2. Mood Issues
A number of psychological issues related to mood, like depression, anxiety, ADHD, and frequently changing moods, can often be ameliorated by cutting gluten out of your diet.
3. Joint Problems
Aching joints are often a symptom of gluten intolerance caused by inflammation. Swollen and painful joints, especially including the fingers and knees, might be indicative of a sensitivity to gluten.
4. Keratosis Pilaris
This skin issue, marked by raised bumps that don’t itch or hurt, is generally caused by malabsorption of fatty acids and vitamin A. These deficiencies occur due to damage to the intestines caused by long-term exposure to gluten.
5. Exhaustion
Feeling tired or foggy after you eat a meal that contains gluten is common for people intolerant of the protein.
Many people who are gluten intolerant who cut wheat and other gluten-containing grains from their diet feel a dramatic increase in energy.
6. Chronic Fatigue or Fibromyalgia
These diagnoses generally indicate that your doctor isn’t exactly sure what the cause of your fatigue or chronic pain is. Often, being gluten intolerant is an underlying factor in these syndromes, and cutting gluten out of your diet can target the actual cause of your pain and fatigue.
7. Migraine Headaches
A 2001 study found that eating gluten can trigger migraines and intense headaches for those who are sensitive to it. MRI scanning indicated that many of these patients had significant inflammation in their nervous systems, likely due to reactions to gluten.
8. Autoimmune Diseases
Because inflammation and prolonged exposure to gluten can put the body on high alert, autoimmune diseases frequently develop in people who are intolerant to gluten. These diseases include lupus, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, scleroderma, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and multiple sclerosis.
9. Hormone Imbalances
Infertility, PCOS, and irregular menstrual cycles are often related to gluten intolerance. The inflammation from gluten consumption puts a significant amount of stress on the adrenal glands, which can begin to malfunction and upset the balance of the entire endocrine system.
10. Neurological Symptoms
Dizziness, poor balance and vertigo, and symptoms like numbness and tingling can all be indicative of inflammation in the nervous system caused by gluten-induced responses within the immune system.
Have you experienced any of these symptoms? Have you tried cutting gluten out of your diet to manage them? Share your experiences with us in the comments section!
sources:
- http://glutenfreenetwork.com/symptoms-treatments/gluten-intolerance-symptoms-how-do-you-know-if-gluten-is-making-you-sick/
- http://www.naturalnews.com/038170_gluten_sensitivity_symptoms_intolerance.html
- http://www.celiac.com/articles/121/1/Migraine-Headaches-Gluten-Triggers-Severe-Headaches-in-Sensitive-Individuals/Page1.html