It is quite common for individuals to mistake gluten intolerance for celiac disease, a gluten-related autoimmune condition. You can be tested for celiac disease, but these tests can’t determine if you are sensitive to gluten. No wonder you should consider going for a gluten sensitivity test.
Keep in mind both gluten intolerance and celiac diseases are caused by a reaction to gluten, a protein found in cereal grains like wheat, barley, and rye. They differ in the sense that celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder in which gluten causes the body’s immune system to attack the lining of the intestines.
Things tend to be different with gluten intolerance since it doesn’t entail any of the autoimmune proteins that are associated with celiac disease. In the event that you happen to have gluten intolerance, your medical practitioners will test you for celiac disease.
If celiac disease is not the resulting cause of your symptoms, your healthcare provider will have to rule out all the other possible causes before diagnosing you with gluten sensitivity. The causes of gluten intolerance are unknown, but there are some theories.
We can never conclude without mentioning the sheer fact that first symptoms of gluten sensitivity vary from one person to the other, both in type and severity. Some people find that the symptoms of a gluten flare show up within an hour of being exposed to gluten, while others may not have symptoms for a day or two after being ‘glutened.’
Sometimes a gluten flare-up may include gastrointestinal symptoms such as bloating as well as non-gastrointestinal symptoms, like skin or cognitive problems. Troublesome symptoms of gluten sensitivity may include abdominal pain, gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, headache, and fatigue, to name a few.
In the event that you or your provider thinks that you are sensitive to gluten, you will start by talking to them about your symptoms and medical history. They’ll also do a physical exam. Ensure you research in advance the different gluten sensitivity tests available at your disposal before you finally take the next step of action.
