Getting Help for Gluten Intolerance
Celiac disease can be incredibly difficult to live with. Characterized by an intolerance to gluten, people who have the disease can exhibit a variety of symptoms, including abdominal or joint pain, heartburn, vomiting, diarrhea, bone loss, and fatigue. These symptoms are caused by a severe immune response to gluten—for people with celiac disease, consuming gluten results in inflammation in the lining of their small intestine that can cause malabsorption. This causes the abovementioned symptoms as well as potentially causing malnutrition. Celiac disease is complicated by the fact that some people with the disease experience no symptoms, and it is complicated even further by the fact that some people without celiac disease report gluten and wheat sensitivity with symptoms similar to those caused by celiac disease. All of these complications can make it hard for patients with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity to get the treatment they need. Fortunately, new research may help make it easier. Read more…