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Gluten intolerance has recently become an increasingly common problem in our society. As many people may think, gluten intolerance is not a food allergy and does not mean celiac disease. Rather it is a condition of the gut that can have a negative impact on overall lifestyle.
According to Food Renegade, undigested gluten (especially wheat and other grains) is regarded by the body in the intestines as a foreign object that irritates the intestines and the microvilli on the wall of the small intestine. Take a look at 8 common signs of gluten intolerance; of course these can mean something else as well, but if you have been experiencing them for a while without an obvious cause, definitely consider visiting a doctor and getting informed.
Abdominal pain
As they say, listen to your gut. Digestive problems are perhaps the most prominent sign of gluten intolerance. After you eat foods containing gluten, you are most likely to experience bloating, flatulence, diarrhea or constipation. Damage to the mucous membrane of the small intestine as a result of consuming foods containing gluten can lead to poor absorption of minerals, vitamins and other nutrients from the food you eat.
Dizziness
Many people with gluten intolerance experience a clouding of vision
disorientation and a strange feeling of having lost their balance.
Mood swings
If your gut is not happy with the foods you eat, then your brain will also be unhappy. People with gluten intolerance often feel unexplained irritability, anxiety, or agitation. The New England Journal of Medicine reported 55 illnesses caused by consuming gluten, which included chronic migraine.
Chronic migraine
Headaches are common in people with gluten intolerance. Although this is not linked to any one specific type of headache, it usually occurs within 30 to 60 minutes after eating. Frequent migraines can also lead to blurred vision and pain around the eye sockets.
Itchy skin
When the gut has trouble processing gluten, inflammation occurs that can manifest externally through the skin. This is why gluten sensitivity is often associated with skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. The immune system responds to the digestive system by producing antibodies that can cause dry and itchy skin.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that mostly affects women and causes widespread pain in muscles, tendons and ligaments. According to many experts, removing or at least reducing gluten consumption can result in pain relief for fibromyalgia sufferers
Chronic fatigue
Do you feel tired even when you get 8–9 hours of sleep? This can also signal that you are gluten intolerant. Your body is constantly inflamed and expends energy trying to deal with the unwanted gluten proteins, so your energy runs out much more quickly than usual.
Lactose intolerance
Both intolerances have similar symptoms and it is likely that if you suffer from lactose intolerance, gluten intolerance is not far behind.
