You can be tested for gluten intolerance. Its more common than people think. Children also can be tested.
Gluten intolerance or allergy is sensitivity to gluten which is in staple foods – wheat and barley. Disorders linked to gluten sensitivity are celiac disease (CD) and non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
Gluten sensitivity – symptoms
Symptoms related to gluten sensitivity are different. Small children could feel tired or there could be developmental delay or malnutrition. In adults there are – gastrointestinal problems – diarrhea, constipation, alternating diarrhea and constipation, bloating, fatigue, joint pain, anemia, weight loss, and even depression.
Celiac disease
Celiac disease is an autoimmune inflammatory disease in small intestine. Blood tests for antibodies could confirm the diagnose.
‘Silent’ CD could have no symptoms at all. If there is family history of gluten-sensitive it could be genetic risk for CD and its very important to be tested for CD, as the complications of CD / such as osteoporosis, anemia, vitamin B12 deficiency, skin problems, fatigue, iron malabsorbtion and some others/ may happen in future.
Non-celiac gluten sensitivity
Non celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) is a disorder with intestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms following gluten ingestion in people with no CD or wheat allergy.
Gluten-free diet
If you have problems with digesting gluten you should follow gluten free diet. Try your best to avoid food with gluten – wheat, rye, barley, malt, brewers yeast. Good alternatives are quinoa, buckwheat, corn, potato, beans, nuts also there are many commercially available products without gluten including gluten free bread and cakes.