Introduction
Gluten allergy is a frequently occurring chronic (permanent) disease and is also known in medicine as gluten-sensitive enteropathy. In the past, the term “celiac disease” was also used for gluten allergy in children and the term “celiac disease” was used for adults. The clinical picture is autoimmunological: on the one hand, the body produces antibodies against gluten, i.e. a certain cereal protein, and on the other hand, against certain endogenous substances in the intestine. This leads to a permanent change in the structure of the intestine. The only effective therapy is a life-long gluten-free diet.
Signs of gluten allergy
The signs of a gluten allergy are very individual and variable. In some cases, there are also almost no symptoms, so that the disease is not noticeable for a long time. In addition, adults and children show different symptoms.
In the course of the disease, gluten allergy causes changes in the digestive tract and corresponding symptoms. A common symptom is abdominal pain, which is often located in the middle of the abdomen, but can also diffusely affect the entire abdomen. In addition, changes in the bowel movements occur.
Typical are alternating light diarrhea and constipation, but also flatulence and increased fatty stools. Over time, there is weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. The altered mucous membrane of the small intestine causes absorption disorders and the body lacks important nutrients, resulting in various deficiency symptoms.
This manifests itself particularly in children in the form of weight loss and growth disorders. Furthermore a pronounced lack of drive is characteristic. The lack of calcium in the body leads to bone pain (in some cases this is the first symptom) and in older patients to the development or progression of an already existing osteoporosis.
Other accompanying symptoms
In addition to the usually dominating symptoms of the digestive tract, fatigue and listlessness usually occur. Sick people often have the feeling of not being able to find restful sleep and suffer from headaches and restlessness. As the disease changes the immune system, gluten allergy leads to an increased susceptibility to other diseases, such as thyroid diseases and infections.
The insufficient intake of important nutrients leads to various deficiency symptoms, which can take the form of anemia (due to a lack of vitamin B12 and folic acid) or the regression of muscle tissue (muscle atrophy). This topic may also be of interest to you: Vitamin deficiencyIn some cases, a gluten allergy can also lead to changes in the skin with rashes. These are often associated with severe itching and occur mainly in the joints, for example the elbows and knees.
Skin rashes occur in the case of gluten allergy mainly in adults and can be examined more closely by taking a small sample (biopsy). Gluten allergy can lead to various symptoms, sometimes including skin changes. By activating the immune system against one’s own body, the balance of the immune defence is altered and – as with most other allergies – skin rashes and pimples can occur. The latter occur mainly on the face and usually show on the cheeks or in the area around the mouth (perioral).
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