7 Common Signs of Gluten Sensitivity
From mild bloating to debilitating chronic illness, gluten can take a major toll on those who experience sensitivity. This gut-wrenching substance affects millions of people, and it is estimated that around six percent of the population suffers from gluten sensitivity, not including the one percent who have been diagnosed with the debilitating gluten-reactive condition known as Celiac disease. Identifying the issue and taking digestive supplements for gluten sensitivity can help.
What is Gluten?
Gluten is an umbrella term covering the proteins found in grains — including wheat, semolina, spelt, farro, graham, rye and barley — which is added to some foods to help it stay together and maintain its shape. Negative reactions to gluten can cause digestive distress, bloating, headaches and can mimic several other recurring conditions that plague the digestive tract. It’s easily confused with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), lactose intolerance, Crohn’s disease and FODMAP sensitivity. So, how do you know if it’s gluten that’s causing the turmoil? Here are some of the most common signs.
- Diarrhea or Constipation — The first sign of gluten sensitivity is digestive upset and intestinal inflammation following the consumption of gluten. Regular digestive issues, including diarrhea and constipation, are unpleasant at the time and serious over the long-term because they can prevent the body from absorbing proper nutrients. About half of all gluten-sensitive people experience frequent diarrhea, while about a quarter experience regular constipation.
- Chronic Fatigue — Consuming too many carbs can zap your energy as a result of the dreaded carb crash, but don’t rush to blame gluten if you feel tired after lunch. Fatigue related to gluten sensitivity is a bit different. People with a gluten sensitivity typically feel more tired mentally than physically, often reporting “brain fog,” the inability to concentrate, lapses in memory and other cognitive problems.
- Mood Swings, Anxiety and Depression — When you feel tired and physically unwell, your mood can suffer too. You might even experience mood swings. It is also thought that gluten may trigger more serious mental health issues, including depression and anxiety.
- Abdominal Pain and Bloating — You may have gluten to blame for that bloated feeling you get after you eat. People with gluten sensitivities and allergies report long-lasting bloating, gas buildup and abdominal pain. We all get a little bloated when we eat too much, but it’s a surefire sign that gluten is the culprit if you eat a small amount of food containing gluten and feel severely bloated.
- Headaches — Headaches and gluten? These two things sound totally unrelated, but ongoing research continues to illustrate the unique symbiosis of the digestive tract and the rest of the body. Shockingly, over half of all people with gluten sensitivity report chronic headaches, according to one report. Migraines are also more common among people who can’t tolerate gluten, according to the report.
- Poor Digestion — Many of the above conditions are triggered by the body’s inability to effectively and efficiently digest gluten. In addition to constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain and bloating, sufferers of gluten sensitivity experience nausea and unexpected weight changes. Those who have difficulty processing gluten and other notoriously hard-to-digest foods may struggle to absorb proper nutrients, which can lead to various health concerns.
- Skin Issues — One of the primary things that differentiate gluten sensitivity from other digestive conditions is the way it affects the skin. One common effective among the gluten sensitive is the prevalence of itchy, red bumps. Many people with gluten intolerances also suffer from dermatitis herpetiformis, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.
