What is Gluten Intolerance?
Imagine gluten intolerance like your body having a problem with a type of protein called gluten. It’s a bit like when you eat something, and it doesn’t sit well with your tummy, making you feel tired, bloated, or gassy. Some people call it non-coeliac gluten sensitivity.
What is Gluten?
Think of gluten as a protein found in foods like wheat, barley, and rye, and even in everyday stuff like pasta, cereal, and beer. It can even sneak into vitamins, makeup, and some medicines.
Is it Like Celiac Disease or a Wheat Allergy?
It’s not the same as Coeliac disease or a wheat allergy. Coeliac disease is when your body’s defence system goes haywire when it sees gluten and messes up your tummy. Gluten intolerance doesn’t do that, and it’s not an allergy.
Who Gets Gluten Intolerance?
It can happen to anyone, but it seems to be more common in girls. Some people are born with it, while others get it later in life.
How Common is it?
Around 6% of people in the Western World have gluten intolerance, which is more common than celiac disease (which affects about 1% of folks).
What Causes Gluten Intolerance?
We’re not sure, but some studies suggest that certain folks might have trouble with a type of carb in foods, not gluten. This carb doesn’t get along with their tummy and causes problems.
Other studies think wheat might mess with the inside of some people’s tummies, letting bad germs cause trouble.
What are the Symptoms?
After eating gluten, people might feel things like tummy aches, bloating, runny poops, tiredness, headaches, and more. Many folks with gluten intolerance also have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
How Do You Find Out if You Have It?
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and what you eat to check if you have gluten intolerance. They might have you try a special diet and see if it helps.
How Do You Deal with Gluten Intolerance?
There’s no magic cure, but most people feel better by eating a diet without gluten. You’ll work with your doctor and a food expert called a dietitian to plan meals. Probiotics and some special helpers might also make you feel better, but check with your doctor first.
Are There Problems with a Gluten-Free Diet?
Yep, it can cause some health issues like high blood sugar and not getting enough healthy stuff, so you need to be careful with it.
Can You Stop It from Happening?
Nope, you can’t stop it, but you can manage the symptoms with the help of your doctor.
What’s the Future Like with Gluten Intolerance?
Most people with gluten intolerance can feel good if they eat the right way, but they’ll probably need to stick to it forever. If they start eating gluten again, the problems might come back.
How to Make Life Easier with Gluten Intolerance
You can make life simpler by eating foods that are low in fat and high in fibre, seeing the doctor for regular check-ups, learning which foods and stuff have gluten, and reading labels carefully.
What If You Eat Gluten by Accident?
If you accidentally have gluten, drink lots of water, eat small, plain meals, and try ginger or peppermint tea to calm your tummy.
When Should You Talk to the Doctor?
If you have really bad symptoms like diarrhea or throwing up because of gluten, it’s important to see a doctor since it can lead to other health problems. You can book to see a GP here.
