Though the symptoms may appear similar, gluten intolerance is not a food allergy but rather an inherited autoimmune disease. The body's immune system mistakenly identifies gluten as harmful. This leads to inflammation and damage in the small intestine. A food allergy to wheat results instead in an allergic response, with symptoms such as itchiness and rash.
Damage to the small intestine can occur when a person with gluten intolerance consumes even a small amount of gluten. Symptoms can include abdominal pain and diarrhea.
The intestinal damage weakens the body's ability to absorb nutrients from food. This can lead to malnutrition and related conditions, such as weight loss, osteoporosis and infertility. Patients may also face increased risk of conditions including diabetes, thyroid disease, lupus, rheumatoid, arthritis and some cancers.
It is important to note that although some people with gluten intolerance suffer severe symptoms, others have no symptoms. People who do not experience symptoms, however, may still suffer damage to the small intestine.
Diagnosis of gluten intolerance usually involves blood tests and may include a biopsy of the small intestine.
The GF diet is a life long commitment and should not be started before being properly diagnosed with CD/DH. Starting the diet without complete testing is not recommended and makes diagnosis later more difficult. Tests to confirm CD could be negative if a person were on the GF diet for very long. A valid test would require reintroducing gluten (a gluten challenge) before testing. Celiac disease is an inherited autoimmune disease and confirmation of CD will help future generations be aware of the risk of CD within the family.
http://www.gfutah.org/GettingStarted.htm
0 Comments:
Post a Comment