What Is a Gluten Allergy?

Allergy symptoms are manifest responses to elements that trigger the immune system, leading it to believe an element or elements will cause harm to the body. An allergy to gluten means the protein molecules, or gluten, found in wheat, barley, oats and rye trigger an allergic reaction. An allergic reaction to gluten is also known as "celiac disease," in which the reaction is a flattening of the villi in the intestines. Eventually, nutrients cannot be absorbed into the body, resulting in malabsorption.

Causes

• Gluten allergy is thought to be hereditary, an inherited autoimmune condition. The actual cause of the condition is unknown, but it is commonly seen as being present in families throughout generations. The genetic cause remains unidentified.

Effects

• The antibodies flatten the villi in the lower intestines in an effort to prevent the gluten from entering the body through the normal process of nutrient absorption. But the flattened villi result in very little nutritional intake, since there is no differentiation between the gluten protein and the necessary vitamins and minerals needed for the body to function. In fighting off the gluten, the antibodies essentially lock down the nutritional intake process.

Symptoms

• There are a wide variety of symptoms, and many can be mistakenly attributed to other causes. Some common symptoms are bloating and abdominal cramping, diarrhea, skin disorders, thyroid disorders, headaches, muscle aches, weight management problems and brain fog. In children, gluten allergy or celiac disease can cause stunted growth or possibly learning disabilities due to malabsorption of nutrients.

Tests

• Determining the presence of gluten allergy or celiac disease begins with a blood test. The blood is tested for anti-gliadin, anti-endomysium and anti-tissue transglutaminase. These antibodies will be present within the blood, indicating they are reacting to the presence of gluten in the body and are working to defend the body against it. An endoscopy may be required to confirm that the condition is due to gluten allergy or celiac disease.

Treatment

• There is no cure for gluten allergy. It is a lifelong condition and can only be corrected with a gluten-free diet. A gluten-free diet means no wheat, barley, oats or rye; no food preservatives or additives that include wheat as a stabilizer; and no nutritional supplements that contain gluten. Once gluten is completely eliminated from the diet, the intestines will begin to heal, and the villi will process nutritional intake properly. Gluten cannot be reintroduced into the diet after the intestines have healed. The damage will simply recur. Those with gluten allergy or celiac disease who do not treat the disease are at an increased risk for stomach and intestinal cancers.