This was a question that I asked a Gastric doctor in 2004. Let me start from the beginning, as a child I would always suffer from stomach aches and stay home from school.
My mother would lovingly make me the standard sick kid meal “Cream of Wheat”. After the warm bowl of cereal was eaten and of course, you know I had to eat a piece of toast with in, my stomach was in knots.
Once I hit adulthood I had to understand what was wrong with me. Sadly I was misdiagnosed with IBS. I was unaware that my diet was the sole reason I felt miserable for 15 years.
Thankfully, I learned what was making me sick. My life changed when my diet changed. I periodically still have flair ups. Sometimes unbeknownst to me, I eat something that has been cross contaminated with wheat.
It is a daily struggle when you are not preparing your own meals. But I have learned to ask a lot of questions where ever I eat.
Facts about Gluten -
- Gluten is a protein chain found in the grains wheat, barley, and rye.
- More than 55 diseases have been linked to Gluten.
- Gluten Intolerance affects men and women across all ages and races.
- 15% of the US population has some form of Gluten Allergies and are unaware of it.
There are
three variations of Gluten Allergies: Celiac Disease, Gluten Intolerance and
Gluten Sensitivity.
Celiac
Disease is an autoimmune digestive disease that damages the villi of the small
intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. Celiac Disease
can lead to a number of other disorders including infertility, reduced bone
density, neurological disorders, some cancers, and other autoimmune diseases.
(Source: Fasano A, Berti I, Gerarduzzi T, et al. Prevalence of Celiac Disease
in at-risk and not-at-risk groups in the US. Archives of Internal Medicine)
Gluten Intolerance can affect nearly every tissue in the body, including the brain, skin, endocrine system, stomach, liver, blood vessels, smooth muscles and even the nucleus of cells. Symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, bloating, joint pain, headaches, brain fog and abdominal pain.
Gluten Sensitivity experience periodic symptoms after ingesting wheat based products over course of days or possible even weeks. This segment can eat Gluten but must be mindful of how much they consume before problems flair up.
Gluten Intolerance can affect nearly every tissue in the body, including the brain, skin, endocrine system, stomach, liver, blood vessels, smooth muscles and even the nucleus of cells. Symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, bloating, joint pain, headaches, brain fog and abdominal pain.
Gluten Sensitivity experience periodic symptoms after ingesting wheat based products over course of days or possible even weeks. This segment can eat Gluten but must be mindful of how much they consume before problems flair up.
Dr. Fasano, who heads the University of Maryland Center for Celiac Research and who published a paper describing the molecular basis for Gluten Sensitivity in 2011, says people who are Gluten Sensitive frequently have "IBS-like" symptoms, including diarrhea and stomach ache.”
Quest Diagnostics, a leading testing company, has seen requests for celiac blood tests jump 25 percent. But Dr. Alessio Fasano, didn’t anticipate other developments. He now estimates that 18 million Americans have some degree of Gluten Sensitivity. And experts have been surprised, in general, by the rising prevalence of celiac disease overall.
“It’s not just that we’re better at finding it,” says Dr. Joseph A. Murray, a gastroenterologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. “It truly has become more common.” Despite the increase in numbers, it is estimated that 83% of Americans who have Celiac Disease are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed with other conditions.
Studies have shown that the average person waits anywhere from 6-10 years before they are correctly diagnosed. (Source: Daniel Leffler, MD, MS, The Celiac Center at Beth Israel Deaconness Medical Center)
Research shows that many of you may have Gluten Allergies and not know it. One of the most effective ways to determine if you have a Gluten Allergy as an issue is the elimination diet.
That means for at least 2 to 3 weeks stop eating any type of wheat base food. After you have done this for a couple of weeks, reintroduce Gluten back in to your diet. If you feel significantly better or if you feel worse when reintroducing Gluten, it is more likely than not - Gluten is a problem for you. In order to get accurate results from this testing method you must elimination Gluten from your diet.
When I say eliminate Gluten – I mean 100% - completely GONE. You must read labels and ask questions. You can find Gluten hidden in more products than you probably realize. For example: licorice, ice cream, puddings, salad dressing and packed sliced meat, just to name a few. You must read labels carefully. If you dine out, you must notify the server that you cannot have any wheat touch your food. Restaurants will accommodate because they understand the severity of food allergies.
Here’s a check list you can use to see if you suffer from any of the symptoms.
Digestive Symptoms
- Frequent bloating or gas
- Diagnosed with IBS or acid reflux
- Daily diarrhea or chronic constipation
- Migraine or headaches
- Joint pains or aches
- Brain fog
- Depression or anxiety
- Ongoing fatigue
- Chronic eczema or acne
Keep in mind, if you experience even one of these symptom in a severe and/or chronic way, it can be a sign of Gluten Sensitivity. Try the elimination diet and see if symptoms persist.
