Bloating may be the result of a gluten intolerance. How do you know if you have the autoimmune condition? Here are the tell-tale signs.
The NHS confirmed that a gluten intolerance is known as coeliac disease – a type of autoimmune condition.
When a person with coeliac disease ingests gluten, the immune system goes into a spasm and attacks the body’s own tissues.
This distorted immune system response damages the gut (small intestine), so you’re unable to absorb nutrients from food sources.
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What’s gluten?
Gluten is a dietary protein found in the following grains: wheat, barley and rye – and many foods can contain these.
Foods that can contain these grains include pasta, cakes, breakfast cereals, breads, sauces and some ready meals.
In addition, most beers are made from barley, so may be contributing to a bloated gut.
Symptoms of coeliac disease come about after ingesting gluten. Pay attention to see if you suffer from the following:
- Diarrhoea*
- Stomach aches
- Bloating
- Flatulence
- Indigestion
- Constipation
*The diarrhoea may smell particularly bad.
There are other more general symptoms of coeliac disease to be aware of, beginning with fatigue.
Fatigue may become apparent as the body is unable to absorb the vital nutrients from the foods you eat, leading to malnutrition.
There may be unintentional weight loss, or an itchy rash (dermatitis herpetiformis).
It could even lead to nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy). Unfortunately, there’s no cure for coeliac disease.
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Luckily, there is an ever-growing gluten-free section in major supermarkets – and avoidance of gluten can really help.
You’d want to avoid gluten if you have coeliac disease because continually eating gluten can lead to complications.
One such complication is the waking of the bones (osteoporosis), and this could lead to fractures and broken bones.
Furthermore, the malabsorption of vitamins can lead to a vitamin B12 deficiency.
The NHS reckons coeliac disease affects at least one in 100 people, possibly more.
The organisation added that “some experts think this may be underestimated because milder cases may go undiagnosed”.
How does one get diagnosed with coeliac disease? A routine check-up for this autoimmune condition isn’t set up in the UK.
Usually, you’ll need to request blood work to check specifically for a gluten intolerance.
In addition, a biopsy of the small intestine may be taken to confirm the presence of the autoimmune disease.
During the testing period it’s imperative to consume foods containing gluten to ensure accuracy.
The NHS attested that a gluten-free diet isn’t to be implemented until the diagnosis is confirmed by a specialist.
Following on from a diagnosis, you may be required to undergo other tests to assess how the condition has impacted your health thus far.
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