 Gluten Intolerance Symptoms
Studies show that people with rheumatoid arthritis are more likely to have wheat/gluten intolerance, so what are gluten intolerance symptoms? I will outline those here, but be aware that the only symptoms you may have are your RA symptoms (joint stiffness and pain). I suggest going gluten-free for a few months (along with following a vegan diet) and see if your symptoms improve. If you add the wheat/gluten back in after a few months and notice a change in your rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, you know that you have an intolerance to gluten and can act accordingly.There can be significant differences between having a gluten allergy or intolerance and dealing with celiac disease. While both of these will require the removal of gluten and gluten products from your diet, the signs and symptoms can vary greatly after exposure to gluten, either directly or by cross-contamination. There are many things that you can do to ensure you are diagnosed properly for the benefit of your health, now and in the future. Knowledge is key when dealing with any allergy or intolerance, especially one as common as a gluten allergy. Since as many as 1 out of every 111 people will show a sensitivity to gluten, knowing how to deal with the allergy and what to avoid will help your overall health immensely. An allergy or intolerance to gluten can be just like any other allergy out there today. Some people will have mild symptoms and can go through their day remarkably easy while others will find their symptoms extremely severe and will not be able to function at all near their regular activity level if they have been exposed to gluten. You know your body best and if you find that after eating items that contain gluten you feel your joints are more stiff, achy, inflamed, or you feel fatigued, observe skin problems, deal with diarrhea or constipation or even irritability, you may be showing signs of a gluten allergy. Mouth ulcers, weight loss, abdominal bloating, depression and even Crohn's disease are all more severe gluten allergy symptoms that some people have experienced. There are many similar signs and symptoms that can be relatively close to that of other diseases and ailments, so be sure to discuss anything that you may find important or relevant to your personal health when talking it over with your physician.If your gluten intolerance symptoms have gone untreated by a medical practitioner or physician, you may find yourself with irreversible damage. Anaemia, bone disease, and even other forms of cancers can be just a few of the more severe problems stemming from untreated gluten allergies. Starting off small with indigestion and irritable bowel syndrome, many adults and children will find their symptoms progressing towards rectal bleeding, acid reflux and excessive fatigue. If you find yourself experiencing any of these gluten intolerance symptoms be sure to talk to your family doctor for allergy testing and a thorough examination before ruling out a gluten allergy. Celiac disease is an inherited disease where there is an immune allergic reaction to the protein we know as gluten. This is found in many types of bread, pastries, pasta dishes and even some beverages. Finding ways to have a well-balanced diet without including gluten foods can be challenging for some, but by no means impossible. This disease stems in the small intestine and causes scarring of the tissues themselves, preventing the absorption of the essential nutrients. While you may know others in your family that deal with celiac disease, many have gone undetected and you may be one of the numerous people who do not even know their signs and symptoms of gluten sensitivity. Related ArticlesRelated Links
Research on Rheumatoid Arthritis and GlutenI. Hafström, B. Ringertz, A. Spångberg, L. von Zweigbergk, S. Brannemark, I. Nylander, J. Rönnelid, L. Laasonen and L. Klareskog. A vegan diet free of gluten improves the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis: the effects on arthritis correlate with a reduction in antibodies to food antigens. Rheumatology 2001; 40: 1175-1179 Conclusion. The data provide evidence that dietary modification may be of clinical benefit for certain RA patients, and that this benefit may be related to a reduction in immunoreactivity to food antigens eliminated by the change in diet.
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