Consumption of gluten-containing food like wheat, barley, or their products (a protein found in gluten food) triggers gluten-related disorders.
Gluten-related disorders are celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, and wheat allergy. All may have similar symptoms and are difficult to identify sometimes but are not the same.
1) Celiac Disease -- Celiac is the most severe gluten-related disorder. The immune system reacts to gluten causing a small intestine line.
A few Symptoms: Diarrhea, constipation, muscle or joint pain, numbness in legs, fatigue, skin rashes, iron deficiencies, and weight loss are some symptoms of celiac.
Diagnosed: It is done through blood tests of antibodies and confirmed from a biopsy of the small intestine.
2) Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS) -- It is a milder gluten intolerance and different from celiac disease or wheat allergy. It mainly gives sensitivity to gluten consumption and usually condition improves when gluten consumption is stopped.
A few symptoms: Bloating, stomach pain, constipation, headache fatigue are some symptoms of Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity
Diagnosed: Mainly it is done by ruling out the condition of celiac and wheat allergy when symptoms sign are reduced or eliminated following a gluten-free food diet.
3) Wheat Allergy -- Allergy reaction because of protein found in wheat.
A few Symptoms: Digestive problems, skin rashes, eczema, and nasal congestion, nausea are some symptoms.
Diagnosed: Wheat allergy test is done with specific blood tests, skin prick tests, or oral food.
Symptoms sometimes look similar but parents should take note of everyday diet and symptoms. And those can be discussed with the healthcare professionals who can then recommend further diagnosis and suggest changes in diet.
At Nutribud Foods, we provide curated Child Nutritional Counseling on a personalized basis understanding medical conditions.