Celiac Disease, Wheat Allergy, Wheat & Gluten Intolerance --What's the Difference?

We hear a lot today about wheat and the problems susceptible people experience when they eat it. Some people experience allergic reactions. Some experience gastrointestinal symptoms. Others experience an autoimmune reaction that attacks the body's own tissues.

According to the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center, the various conditions associated with wheat consumption fall under the heading "Food Intolerances." They include wheat allergy, wheat intolerance, gluten intolerance, and Celiac disease. Following are the characteristics of each.

Wheat Allergy

The immune system has determined that one or more of the proteins in wheat is dangerous to the body, even though it isn't. The immune system responds by attacking the protein(s) with histamine and other chemicals.

The symptoms associated with a wheat allergy range from mild to severe. They occur very quickly and are time-limited. They may include skin reactions, digestive disturbances, congestion, and rarely anaphylaxis, a life-threatening condition. They do not cause harm to the body's tissues.

Wheat allergies mostly affect young children. Many children outgrow allergies by age 5.Treatment includes the avoidance of wheat and the use of medications, such as antihistamines.

Wheat Intolerance

Wheat intolerance is very different from wheat allergy. Wheat intolerance is an adverse reaction to wheat that doesn't involve the immune system. A protein in wheat, called gluten, is the culprit.

The symptoms of wheat intolerance include digestive disturbances, such as, vomiting, diarrhea, gas, constipation, and bloating. Unlike allergies, the symptoms of intolerance may not show up at all, or they show up 72 hours after eating wheat. There are many forms of wheat intolerance. The different forms

damage different parts of the body. Click here for more detailed information. This is an excellent site.

The only known treatment is strict avoidance of wheat. A person does not outgrow wheat intolerance.

Gluten Intolerance

Wheat intolerance and gluten intolerance are the same thing, except for one distinction. Some people are intolerant to the gluten in wheat, but not to the gluten in other grains. Gluten intolerance refers to people who people who are intolerant to all gluten. They have to avoid wheat, barley, rye, and some oats. Oats do not contain gluten, but they are often contaminated in the field by gluten-containing grains.

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is only researched form of wheat intolerance. It is an inherited autoimmune disorder. Celiac genes predispose individuals to Celiac disease. When gluten, from wheat, barley, and rye is consumed by Celiacs, the immune system acts to destroy the body's own tissues. Villi, finger-like projections in the small intestine responsible for absorption of needed nutrients, become flat and ineffective. Without nutrients, every system in the body weakens. Opportune secondary autoimmune diseases, such as, anemia, diabetes, osteoporosis, and rheumatoid arthritis strengthen as the immune system weakens.

Some people experience no symptoms. The damage occurs anyway. These people are at risk for many autoimmune illnesses.

Celiac disease symptoms include depression, diarrhea or constipation, lactose intolerance, anemia, tingling in hands and feet, and many other symptoms.

The only known treatment for celiac disease is a life-long adherence to a gluten-free diet. Gluten-containing grains include wheat, barley, and rye. Even miniscule amounts of gluten, such as crumbs from a toaster, flour in the air, or kissing a baby who's been eating a cracker cause an autoimmune reaction and damage to the small intestine.

It's impossible to outgrow celiac disease. Damage occurs whether it is felt or whether it isn't.

Gluten intolerance affects millions of people in the United States. Most of them are undiagnosed and at risk for life-threatening illnesses. Who would guess that a piece of toast can cause so much trouble? Wheat consumption adversely affects millions of people in devious ways. Getting a proper diagnosis and following a gluten-free diet is critical to conquering this demon protein called "gluten."