Symptoms manifested in celiac disease, gluten intolerance, and wheat allergy are similar, although these three conditions are quite distinct from each other. The body, however, may react differently to the intake of gluten in these three different conditions. Let us understand these three diseases carefully.
What is celiac disease?
Celiac disease is a serious autoimmune disease. The patients of celiac disease react severely to Gluten intake. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. Gluten triggers an immune response in patients suffering from celiac disease and causes damage to the lining of the small intestine. This results in causing bloating, inflammation of the lining of the small intestine, and a reduced rate of nutrient absorption leading to nutrient deficiencies. Patients of celiac disease suffer from diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, bloating, weight loss, constipation, and vomiting. It is usually observed that celiac disease worsens on Gluten consumption and so celiac disease diet plan includes Gluten restricted celiac disease diet.
What is Gluten Intolerance?
It is also commonly known as Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity. Patients suffering from Gluten intolerance develop symptoms mostly after consumption of gluten diet. The symptoms include gastrointestinal problems like Diarrhea, Bloating, Stomach ache, Nausea, Gas, and Constipation. Patients suffering from Gluten sensitivity should carefully avoid consumption of gluten intolerance foods. Gluten intolerance diet consists of foodstuffs which are gluten-free to avoid triggering of the unwanted complications. Gluten intolerance diet also includes various dietary supplements like minerals and vitamins to compensate for the nutritional deficiencies which may occur due to a restricted diet.
What is Wheat Allergy?
Wheat Allergy is an allergic response to products containing wheat and gluten. The patients suffering from wheat allergy manifest symptoms similar to those as in any allergic reactions. Symptoms of a wheat allergy include Stomach cramp, Nausea and/or vomiting, Headache, Nasal congestion, Skin rash, Difficulty breathing, and Anaphylaxis. Patients suffering from wheat allergies have to plan what foods to eat with a wheat allergy. Most Wheat Allergy diet includes restriction of Gluten containing products, to avoid triggering of the allergic reactions.
But What’s the Difference between diet for Celiac Disease, Gluten Intolerance, and Wheat Allergy
Mostly these three conditions may show similar symptoms. Few symptoms are very characteristic of the diseases. Like Celiac disease, patients may suffer from mouth ulcers, itchy skin, headaches, bone, and joint pain and seizures. Patients with Gluten intolerance may suffer from a typical stomach pain which is uncommon in celiac disease and wheat allergy patients. On the other hand, wheat allergy patients may show symptoms like allergic reactions different from the patients of celiac disease and gluten intolerance.
Most of the times the symptoms shown by the patients of all these three conditions are similar, and therefore, difficult to differentiate. Other differences may be in the physiologic and metabolic and could be diagnosed by medical experts by understanding the results of specific tests conducted on the patients.
Managing Celiac Disease, Gluten Intolerance, and Wheat Allergy
A specific diet is included in the treatment of Celiac Disease, Gluten Intolerance, and Wheat Allergy. The most common dietary change in these three diseases is consumption of gluten-free products. Most of these conditions worsen with intake of gluten; therefore, avoiding gluten-containing products is one of the lines of treatment for all these three conditions. Consumption of gluten-free products can reduce the damage to the small intestine and thereby reduce the abdominal pain and problems like acidity, bloating, gases, constipation, and headaches.
Consumption of Gluten-free Products
Gluten Free products like Gluten Free Sorghum (Jowar) Flakes and Pearl Millet (Bajara) Flakes are one of the suitable and tasty substitute diets for Celiac Disease, Gluten Intolerance, and Wheat Allergy patients. These products are made from natural grains and are rich in essential nutrients. At the same time since these are gluten-free, they are low in sugar and cholesterol content. Being gluten free these prevent abdominal discomfort otherwise caused due to gluten-containing products and are ideal for the consumption of Celiac Disease, Gluten Intolerance, and Wheat Allergy patients
