Allergy - Gluten Intolerance Symptoms - How Do You Know If Gluten Is Making You Sick?

What are gluten intolerance symptoms? Are people with gluten intolerance just fussy eaters with a new excuse for their picky food habits? Research shows that gluten sensitivity in some form, including celiac disease and mild gluten intolerance, affects approximately 15% of the US population. These statistics are likely to be similar in Western countries with similar health issues and dietary patterns. Are you one of these people? How do you recognize gluten intolerance symptoms? First of all let's identify the difference between celiac disease and gluten intolerance. Celiac disease is an immune reaction, a severe sudden onset allergic reaction, to the protein called gluten. This is commonly found in grains such as wheat, rye, barley and oats. While celiac disease is initially an auto-immune disorder, it is also a disease of malabsorbtion, because essential nutrients are not absorbed. Therefore one of the most devastating symptoms of long-term undiagnosed celiac disease is malnutrition. Gluten intolerance often has a slower onset than celiac disease, and may be hard to diagnose due to the broad range of symptoms and causes. If you imagine a continuum of gluten intolerance symptoms, celiac disease is usually at the most extreme end with immediate autoimmune reactions. Some people with celiac disease may not have symptoms, but internally malabsorbtion and malnutrition can erode health over many years. Both celiac disease and gluten intolerance can be exacerbated by emotional stress, infection, surgery, pregnancy and childbirth. Every individual with some level of gluten intolerance or allergy may experience different shades of symptoms, hence the challenge for medical practitioners to diagnose. So what are the specific symptoms of gluten intolerance and celiac disease? Weight loss or weight gain Nutritional deficiencies due to malabsorbtion e.g. low iron levels Gastro-intestinal problems (bloating, pain, gas, constipation, diarrhea) Fat in the stools (due to poor digestion) Aching joints Depression Eczema Head aches Exhaustion Irritability and behavioural changes Infertility, irregular menstrual cycle and miscarriage Cramps, tingling and numbness Slow infant and child growth Decline in dental health Undiagnosed for long periods of time, food intolerances have been found to contribute to diabetes, bowel cancer, anemia and osteoporosis. Why are gluten intolerance symptoms so varied? It is still a bit of a mystery; gluten intolerance and allergies affect adults and children in a variety of ways, but we do know that the less stress the better. Anecdotal evidence suggests emotional trauma and stress play a large role in worsening of symptoms. Some studies have shown that there is a lower chance of developing celiac disease, the longer a baby is breastfed; the later they started eating gluten containing foods and the less gluten containing foods they ate. However completely avoiding gluten through pregnancy and in a child's younger years may also increase allergic reaction, as the developing digestive system does not recognize the substance at all. Perhaps a moderate approach is best when preventing celiac disease, especially if there is a genetic predisposition. Mother might reduce but not eliminate gluten foods when pregnant, breastfeed for a longer than average period, and introduce low gluten grains as first foods for baby. How to diagnose celiac disease and gluten intolerance? Until recently it was challenging to diagnose celiac disease because the symptoms are varied and similar to other diseases. For example, crones disease, chronic fatigue, iron deficiency, irritable bowel syndrome and intestinal infections can all have similar symptoms. In fact there may be a cross over between gluten intolerance and some of these illnesses; an individual may have a combination of issues worsened by unsuitable food choices. Now doctors test for raised levels of certain auto-antibodies in their blood. These antibodies are produced when the body senses a dangerous intruder allergen, like gluten. If the results indicate an allergy to gluten the doctor may perform a small intestine biopsy. This will reveal the damage to the villi in the small intestine. It is important to eat an ordinary diet including gluten, before being tested. Author: Anna Wilde Anna and Roger Wilde know "Healthy food heals!". Their website and classes inspire people who want healthy food to be easy, delicious and great value. Get Anna and Roger's free yummy recipes: Gluten free buckwheat pancakes and Mango Lassi What people say about Wild Health: "Fantastic quantity and quality of information. Thanks for a lot of new healthy food ideas I wouldn't have found anywhere else." Maria "This changed my life. I lost weight and feel better than ever" Brian "I am buzzing with ideas!" Sarah Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anna_Wilde Allergy - Mold Allergies Mold is a type of fungus that grows on the surface of organic material such as food particles and living plants. The reproductive particles or seeds that these molds form are known as spores. The spores float in the air like pollen and are a cause for allergic reactions among many people. Molds grow where there is dampness or moisture in shady areas with availability of oxygen and enough food. They can be found both indoors and outdoors, in places like damp basements, bathrooms, air conditioners, garbage, upholstered furniture, wallpaper, wall ceilings, food storage areas, refrigerators, plants and soil. Since molds become air borne and are very small, they can be easily inhaled. When these molds are inhaled they cause allergic reactions in lots of people in the nose or upper respiratory track before reaching the lungs. Some people might also have allergic reactions by eating certain food items that contains the fungus. The symptoms of mold allergies vary in different individuals. Some of the symptoms include nasal congestion, cold and flu, coughing, irritation and itching in the eyes, nose or throat, red or swollen eyes, asthma, sinusitis, skin rashes, hay fever, mold allergies and lung infections. Molds can lead to serious health problems. Certain blood tests, skin patch tests and allergy tests are done to diagnose a mold allergy. Once identified, the goal of the treatment is to reduce the allergy symptoms because people generally can't control their exposure to molds. Medications help to reduce the symptoms but it is very important to ensure the cleanliness of indoor environments to eliminate or minimize the growth of the molds in the house. To control molds in the house, it is important to check humid areas and keep then as dry as possible. Food contaminated by molds should not be kept in the house. Dehumidifiers, air conditioners and areas where mold grow quickly should be cleaned regularly. After cleaning, drying and removing of molds, disinfectants and allergy reduction products can be used to ensure that molds are thoroughly wiped off.