Wheat Allergy
Gluten Allergy or Intolerance
Celiac Disease
What Is The Difference?
Have you been diagnosed with a wheat allergy, gluten allergy or intolerance, and Celiac disease. Although all three of these conditions do have the same treatment plan, which is based strictly on avoidance of any food products that contain wheat proteins, there is a big difference between each condition in the matter of importance. It is therefore strongly suggested you visit your doctor so testing can be done to determine what type of sensitivity you do have so the necessary precautions can be taken to help prevent further complications down the road in later years. What Is Celiac Disease?Celiac Disease is an auto-immune disease which affects both children and adults. People with Celiac Disease do not have the capabilities of eating any gluten, which is found in wheat, barley and rye products. Because of the high chance of cross-contamination, a lot of people must also avoid oats.Without the removal of foods containing gluten from their diet, when any product is ingested with the gluten protein, this results in a slow but continuous destruction of small hair-like projections in the small intestines called villi. These villi are responsible for capturing all the nutrients from your food as it passes through your system. Because gluten will over time destroy the lining of the intestinal wall, thus destroying the villi, food will pass right through your system- no longer having the capabilities of releasing those nutrients. This will eventually lead to dehydration, nutritional deficiencies or malnutrition. After time, and without the necessary diet changes, eventually the stage is set for greater problems with your major organs. This can result in iron deficient anemia, osteoporosis and GI tract cancers. This effect is often called gluten allergy, when it is actually more of an intolerance. What Is Gluten Allergy or Intolerance?Gluten, one of the four major proteins in wheat products, is a very large molecule which is very difficult for the human digestive system to break down. Therefore, Gluten allergy or intolerance is when an individual is incapable of correctly digesting any food source containing gluten. The good news is with strict avoidance of the gluten protein, this individual will not show any permanent damage in their digestive system. Once the gluten is out of your system, the normal symptoms of flatulence, abdominal pain and cramping, bloating and diarrhea will pass until the next time an offending food is ingested. Therefore this condition is regulated by a gluten free diet. What Is Wheat Allergy?Wheat Allergies are generally diagnosed in infants after they start on a schedule of eating solid foods. With time and patience though most infants will outgrow this condition as their digestive system matures. It is entirely possible for adults to obtain an allergy to wheat products though at any time during their life.Generally, symptoms of hives and skin rashes, congestion, bloating and gassiness will be noticed within minutes to a couple of hours after ingesting any wheat products. Severe reactions leading to airway or throat constriction is rare but not impossible with a wheat allergy. All food allergies are the result of a malfunction in your immune system. In the case of wheat products, there is four different proteins which all have the capabilities of causing an allergic reaction. These include: - Albumin
- Gliadin
- Globulin
- Gluten
Often, if gluten is the factor creating the reaction, many times either gluten allergy or intolerance or celiac disease is found to be the problem instead of a wheat allergy. An allergy is characterized by the following. When a substance is ate the first time and your body believes it is harmful, your system produces a set of antibodies (known as IgE). This antibody believes its sole purpose is to neutralize the protein (allergen) when you eat. When you eat this same food product a second time, your body signals the invader is back, thus releasing the antibodies into your immune system. This then will result in your immune system releasing a host of chemicals plus histamines which accounts for the uncomfortable symptoms in your body. These do range from the runny nose, itchy eyes, dry throat, nausea, vomiting or it can lead up to the severe symptoms of anaphylaxis. Therefore prevention or treatment again is avoidance of any of the offending food products. Thus, while celiac disease, gluten allergy/intolerance and a wheat allergy do all use the same preventative measures- avoidance of all wheat products or wheat proteins- these three are not the same condition. It is imperative if you notice a sensitivity to any wheat products that you do contact your doctor to obtain testing to verify which condition you have. Although gluten intolerance and a wheat allergy do not cause permanent organ damage- just a host of uncomfortable symptoms- Celiac disease is much more serious and can lead to even greater problems in the future. Watch for the labels: celiac disease, gluten intolerance, wheat allergy, immune system, auto-immune disease, gluten, gliaden, globulin, albumin, gluten products
Return to "Gluten Free" from "Gluten Allergy".
Home | About Us | Contact Us
*Disclaimer*
This site is not intended to replace the advice and supervision of your professional medical treatment plan. Although all of the information is true and accurate to the best of our knowledge, we still recommend you carefully check all food labels before consuming any food product. We can not assume any legal responsibility for any illness obtained while following the advice contained on this site.
|
