Gluten intolerance symptoms can be subtle but should never be ignored. Recognizing these symptoms early on is crucial in preventing long-term damage to your health. But what are they? Well, before this blog discusses them, let’s first understand what gluten intolerance really means. Also known as non-celiac gluten sensitivity, it refers to a condition in which the body reacts negatively to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. Unlike in celiac disease, there is no autoimmune response whereby the tissue of the small intestine gets damaged. However, the condition still leads to occasional discomfort. But this is not all, as knowing about these symptoms in detail is imperative for effective management and treatment.
10 Common Symptoms Of Gluten Intolerance
1. Bloating
This is the most common evident sign of gluten intolerance. You may feel your tummy getting tight or full after you have eaten. This happens because the protein leads to gas overproduction due to digestive tract inflammation. Moreover, the bloating may be mild or severe, which is a discomforting factor affecting clothes fitting.
2. Diarrhea or Constipation
Many people have reported gastrointestinal issues, such as diarrhea and constipation. These issues can inflame the gut lining, leading to an imbalance that might change regular bowel movements. Either you frequently run to the bathroom with watery loose stools or have frequent bowel movements, which can cause frustration and discomfort.
Source: Freepik
3. Stomach Pain
This symptom varies from mild discomfort to sharp, cramping sensations. It most typically occurs directly after one has consumed gluten-based foods and usually lasts for hours. Typically, the ache resides in the lower abdomen region but could be very diffuse in location to identify the cause. A persistent stomach ache that does not improve with over-the-counter medications or consumption of gluten free foods may require medical intervention.
4. Headaches
Individuals who are highly intolerant to gluten could experience frequent headaches or, in the worst-case scenario, migraines. However, the interrelation between gluten and headaches is not that clearly understood. Also, for instance, if you are experiencing regular headaches with no apparent cause, it may be proper to rule out gluten as a possible trigger.
5. Fatigue
Chronic fatigue is another common symptom of gluten intolerance. It is not similar to the level of tiredness that one usually feels after a long day at work, but more on a deeper level, which isn’t going to improve with rest, even after a good sleep. Additionally, fatigue can be so bad that it affects overall functioning in work, social life, and a whole host of other things
Source: Freepik
6. Dermatoses
The body’s intolerance to gluten causes the skin to form various dermatoses, such as rashes, eczema, and dermatitis herpetiformis, a chronic skin rash marked by very itchy and grouped blister-like lesions. These disorders are typically chronic, and even after getting conventional treatment, they frequently recur.
7. Joint & Muscle Pain
Joint or muscle pain, in addition, may indicate an intolerance to gluten. This is often misdiagnosed as other conditions, such as arthritis, but it can be directly related to the inflammation and the intensity of the pain experienced. Usually, the pain felt could make performing daily activities extremely challenging. Also, in case you have been experiencing pain that seems endless yet without any visible cause, avoiding gluten would be the best option.
8. Brain Fog
Brain fog refers to a condition whereby a person feels cloudy mentally or sluggish. A gluten-intolerant individual may be completely unable to focus on something, remember, or even think straight. Moreover, when it becomes a symptom, it can be very annoying as it can relate directly to how your brain works, thus impairing your daily activities. Additionally, the symptom has been thought to relate to some inflammatory state in the brain, necessitating early diagnosis.
9. Depression & Anxiety
Mood disorders, which include depression and anxiety, are being slowly noted as symptoms of gluten intolerance. While the relationship between gluten and psychological disturbance can be a profoundly intricate one, it is believed that these disorders might impact brain chemistry and neurotransmitters.
10. Numbness or Tingling
Gluten-intolerant people experience numbness or tingling in their arms and legs. This symptom is known as ‘peripheral neuropathy.’ The intensity varies—a highly subtle tingling can escalate to more pronounced sensations of numbness and may be problematic if it occurs regularly. This symptom is not concretely known as the origin of this situation; however, inflammation is suspected to affect the nervous system.
Final Words
In the end, recognizing what are the symptoms of gluten intolerance is an essential step in taking control of your health. Additionally, it would be better to seek professional help to make health-related decisions. Regularly noting changes in the body and checking on the diet can help one make drastic improvements in health and boost the quality of life.
References
Healthline. The Most Common Signs of Gluten Intolerance.
Medical News Today. What are the first signs of gluten intolerance?