Food intolerance is something that is talked about quite a lot in recent years. Many people suffer from genuine food allergies while some people seem to follow the latest “fad diets”.However, if you suffer from any form of intolerance, you know just how important it is to keep a strict diet.

According to Medical Treasures, “Gluten is a protein that is found in food containing wheat and related grains such as rye, barley, and oats.”

Research says that more than 3 million people in the US suffer from celiac disease, which breaks down to 1 in 133 people. Yet only 1 in 4,700 people has received an official diagnosis.

Know the common warning signs of Allergen Intolerances

There are various signs of gluten intolerance, and it would be advised to seek the help of your doctor if you suffer from any of the following symptoms.

The most common issue related to gluten intolerance is stomach pain and bloating. If a person is unable to digest gluten their stomach reacts to it. Symptoms include bloating, diarrhea and the production of gas along with stomach cramping.

The condition may also affect the skin. When the stomach cannot digest gluten as it should it causes the intestines to become inflamed and as a result it can bring on periods of itchy skin and conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.

There has also been a connection made to gluten sufferers and chronic headaches. However, it is important to note that not all sufferers get headaches but there has been a potential link made for those who do.

Likewise, tiredness is another symptom linked with gluten intolerance. The body is working hard to try and digest gluten form your system, and because it is unable to do so your body is not getting all the nutrients it needs, which in turn can lead to a feeling of fatigue.

Fibromyalgia is a condition associated with muscle and soft tissue pain that often starts in the central nervous system. According to a study by Rheumatol Int. “Gluten sensitivity that does not fulfill the diagnostic criteria for celiac disease is increasingly recognized as a frequent and treatable condition with a wide spectrum of manifestations that overlap with the manifestations of Fibromyalgia, including chronic musculoskeletal pain, asthenia, and irritable bowel syndrome.”

The research found that patients with fibromyalgia responded extremely well to a gluten-free diet.  Read more about that particular here.

According to the World Journal of Gastroenterology, Celiac disease is a hereditary condition that can affect from 4-12% of first degree relatives in the same family. If someone in your family has been diagnosed with Celiac disease it may be an idea for the rest of the family to get tested.

There are numerous studies and papers written on the topic of Gluten intolerance and above are just some but not all of the symptoms potentially associated with celiac disease.

If you are worried or concerned about having an allergen intolerance, be sure to see your GP for a full assessment.