Celiac disease starts when someone eats gluten, a protein in wheat, barley, and some grains. It damages the small intestine, leading to poor nourishment and various signs. Sadly, many people who have it don’t know. Only about 20% of them get the right diagnosis. Without treatment, it can cause big problems and make cancer more likely.
Celiac disease isn’t the same as just not liking gluten or having a wheat allergy. Not liking gluten doesn’t hurt your intestine or make your body fight itself. But a wheat allergy can make you itchy or have a hard time breathing.
Signs of celiac disease vary and can harm the stomach, bones, or how well someone can have kids. Doctors use blood tests and checks of the intestine to find out if you have it. This helps them know what to do to help you feel better.
Key Takeaways:
- Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder triggered by consuming gluten.
- Gluten intolerance and wheat allergy are different conditions.
- Undiagnosed celiac disease can lead to serious complications.
- Diagnosis involves blood tests and intestinal biopsy.
- Treatment includes a wheat-free diet and management of associated symptoms.
Wheat Allergy Symptoms and Diagnosis
Wheat allergy symptoms vary from mild to severe, including:
- Swelling, itching, and irritation in the mouth and throat
- Rash on the skin
- Stuffy nose or runny nose
- Difficulty breathing or wheezing
- Headache
- Cramps and abdominal pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
In serious cases, a wheat allergy can trigger anaphylaxis. This is a life-threatening emergency that needs quick medical help.
- Skin test: Apply a bit of wheat protein to the skin. Then, prick or scratch to check for allergies.
- Blood test: They take your blood to look for certain antibodies related to wheat allergies.
- Diet tracking: Keeping a food journal helps find the foods triggering your allergies.
Sometimes, a oral food challenge is done. This test involves eating a bit of the suspected food in a controlled setting.
Causes and Risk Factors of Wheat Allergy
If you have celiac disease, your body’s defense system reacts badly to gluten. This leads to gut inflammation and harms the villi in your small intestine. We’re not fully sure what causes this reaction.
It seems to be a mix of genetics and certain triggers in the environment. Some changes in your genes make you more likely to get celiac disease. But, not all people with these genetic changes end up getting the disease.
Family history can also play a big role. So, if someone in your close family has or had celiac disease, your risk goes up. The disease might show up when you’re a kid or during your adult years, especially between 40 and 60.
Genetic Factors
Genes definitely have a say in celiac disease. This includes the gene for human leukocyte antigen (HLA). Different versions of this gene, like HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8, can up your odds of getting celiac disease.
But remember, not all with the high-risk genes get the disease. This shows us there are other factors at play too.
Environmental Triggers
Things in your environment can also make celiac disease more likely. For instance, if you eat gluten, found in wheat, barley, and rye, it can set off a bad reaction in your gut.
This response can lead to inflammation. And, factors like being born via cesarean section, early gluten introduction, gut infections, and exposure to certain viruses may also bump up your risk.
Family History
If there’s celiac disease in your family, be aware. This makes the chances of you getting it greater. It’s wise for those with a family history to maybe get genetic tests to see their own risk level.
Other Risk Factors
Besides genes and what’s around you, certain diseases and your ancestry can also matter. For example, having type 1 diabetes or Down syndrome increases your risk. Similarly, being of European descent makes celiac disease more common for some groups than for others.
Knowing what causes and up your chances of celiac disease is important. This helps healthcare pros find and help those who are more likely to get it. With the right tests, advice, and steps, you can aim for better health.
| Causes | Risk Factors |
|---|---|
| Abnormal immune response to gluten | HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 gene variations |
| Genetic factors | Family history of celiac disease |
| Environmental triggers | Type 1 diabetes |
| Down syndrome | |
| Autoimmune thyroid disease | |
| Microscopic colitis | |
| European descent |
Conclusion
Wheat allergy happens when the body fights the proteins in wheat. This fight can cause different symptoms, from slight to severe. People with wheat allergies need to avoid foods with wheat protein. They should also watch for hidden wheat in processed foods.
To find out if someone has a wheat allergy, doctors use tests and tracking what they eat. Pinpointing the causes helps people manage their allergy. They can then choose what foods they eat wisely.
The best way to deal with a wheat allergy is to stay away from wheat. For very bad reactions like anaphylaxis, medicines like antihistamines or epinephrine can help. Scientists are working on new, better ways to treat food allergies, including wheat.
People with wheat allergies must make sure others know about their condition. They should always carry emergency medicine for severe reactions. Their goal is to avoid danger and live a full, healthy life by being careful.