Gluten allergy - signs, causes and therapy

Gluten allergy: discomfort, therapy and diagnosis

The gluten allergy, the correct medical term is celiac disease or adult sprue, is not a classic food allergy in the true sense. It is one of the so-called autoimmune diseases, as both antibodies against gluten (cereal protein) and against the own tissue are formed. The antibodies destroy the typical structure of the small intestinal mucosa. But what are the causes of the gluten allergy? Is it a typical civilization disease or has a part of humanity always struggled with gluten intolerance??

contents

What is a gluten allergy??
Functions of the human small intestine
Small intestine in people with a gluten allergy
symptoms
Diagnosis of gluten intolerance
Treatment of celiac disease
Is there a chance of recovery??

What is a gluten allergy??

Doctors of celiac disease speak when the body does not tolerate the cereal protein gluten found in wheat, rye, barley and oats. The gluten now ensures that the typical structure of the small intestinal mucous membrane is destroyed. As a result, people with gluten allergy suffer from a shortage of nutrients.

Celiac disease can be associated with numerous health problems. Image: www.fotolia.com © klickerminth

Functions of the human small intestine

The small intestine is 5-6 m in length one of the longest digestive organs. Essentially, in the small intestine, the nutrients are transferred from the already digested food through the small intestinal mucosa into the blood. The medical term for this process is called absorption. In order to fulfill this task, the intestinal wall in a person without acute celiac disease in wrinkles, the small intestinal mucous membrane is provided with finger-shaped protuberances (intestinal villi). On the intestinal villi, enzymes that are important for the digestion of food settle. Due to the folds and protuberances enlarging the surface of the small intestine, the small intestine is able to transfer the large amount of nutrients from the food into the blood.

Small intestine in people with a gluten allergy

In people with a gluten allergy, the gluten whites present in cereals wheat, rye, barley and oats cause destruction of the typical structure of the small intestinal mucosa due to chemical processes. These chemical processes are increasingly found in people with a genetic predisposition to celiac disease. In these people, the HLA type HLA-DQ 2 and the HLA type DQ 8 can be detected. But not all people with this genetic predisposition also have a gluten intolerance. Environmental factors such as an infection with the fungus, stress with enormous mental stress or high alcohol consumption can promote the development of celiac disease. The complex relationship between the genetic disposition for celiac disease and the ultimate triggering factors could not be adequately clarified. However, it is clear that celiac disease that has broken out once can not be cured.

Gluten induces gluten allergy in individuals with gluten allergies. In the further course it comes to inflammations and to the formation of antibodies, which are responsible for the degradation of endogenous tissue. These autoantibodies cause degradation of the villi in the small intestine. As a result, the absorption of nutrients through the small intestinal mucosa is prevented. Therefore, the gluten allergy belongs to the so-called autoimmune diseases; Not only are antibodies raised against the allergenic substance, but also against the body.

Celiac disease / Sprue is not one of the modern civilization diseases, it is not triggered by a wrong and / or one-sided diet. A long breastfeeding period or a gluten-free diet of the child in the first year of life do not prevent celiac disease / sprue. However, it is recommended to take care of a gluten-free diet of the child in the first half year, because the symptoms can show very violent especially in this period and it can be life-threatening for the baby.

Symptoms of a gluten allergy

Overall, the symptoms can be very different and they also differ between children and adults.

Symptoms child
The symptoms of celiac disease usually occur when switching from the diet of milk food to cereal-containing food. The first signs are often expressed by violent diarrhea. You may experience several of the following symptoms at the same time, or even single ones:

- Your child loses weight or the weight gain stagnates, although it is enough to eat.
- Your child complains of abdominal pain from time to time or your baby cries a lot and often complains of flatulence (bloated abdomen) even as an infant.
- Your child is noticeably pale and tired.
- The belly looks bloated compared to the thin arms and legs.
- The stool of your child is very common and looks in the consistency of massive, greasy or fat (light stool).
- The musculature of your child is noticeably weakly developed.
- The mood of your child is always grumpy for no reason.
- An increased susceptibility to infection occurs.

The symptoms mentioned may indicate a gluten intolerance, but they do not have to. In any case, the pediatrician should be consulted at an initial suspicion and clarify the causes of the complaints.

Symptoms adults
The symptoms of adult humans are often less obvious than those of infants. The first signs may be bone pain or your doctor may find you have a calcium deficiency. Only gradually do the symptoms manifest themselves in the abdomen, diarrhea may alternate with constipation. The signs of lack of nutrients and vitamin supply can occur very late, so sometimes it takes a long time to be diagnosed with celiac sprue. Especially because of the nonspecific symptoms.

The following symptoms may indicate gluten intolerance:
Abdominal pain, alternating diarrhea and constipation, diarrhea and stool, diarrhea, bloating, nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss despite adequate calorie intake, fatigue, tiredness, listlessness despite enough sleep, dark circles, long-lasting infections, headache, nervousness, depressive moods, Anemia, iron and zinc deficiency, cycle disorders, fertility disorders, blisters and mouth ulcers, bone and joint pain.

Since the uptake of nutrients is prevented by the typical structure of the small intestinal mucous membrane in celiac sprue, the following can occur:
- osteoporosis
- Type 1 Diabetes
- migraine
- arthritis
- epilepsy
Even for adults, the causes of the symptoms mentioned should be clarified by a doctor.

Diagnosis of gluten intolerance

Anyone who finds himself in the above symptoms with his symptoms and has an initial suspicion of a gluten allergy should discuss the symptoms with the attending physician. For a confirmed diagnosis, the blood is tested for antibodies against the grain protein. It is important that at an initial suspicion, the blood is specifically examined for these same antibodies out. However, the blood test is not a hundred percent certainty, because not all people form the corresponding antibodies, although they suffer from gluten intolerance. In addition, people can also make antibodies to the grain protein, although they have been proven not to suffer from celiac disease / sprue.

The examination of the small intestinal mucosa via a biopsy then gives the ultimate assurance whether it is a gluten intolerance. This examination is not very pleasant, but it should always be done if the result of the antibody test is positive. Only through biopsy can a reliable diagnosis be made. In addition, the severity of mucosal damage can be determined by biopsy. It is recommended to change the diet only after a confirmed diagnosis.

Treatment of celiac disease

The conventional medical therapy relies on a dietary change of those affected. The diet must be consistently and consistently switched to gluten-free products. include wheat, barley, rye, spelled, greens and foods made therefrom (e.g., flour, cakes, pasta, bread, cereals, beer). Not all manufacturers indicate on the packaging whether the food contains gluten. Therefore, a precise analysis of the food is required. By consistently avoiding gluten, the villi revert back to the small intestine and the transfer of nutrients and vitamins from the small intestine to the blood works again.

It may be that as a result of celiac disease / sprue a lactose intolerance has developed, since the corresponding enzyme is missing for the digestion of lactose in the damaged intestinal mucosa. In this case, should first be dispensed with lactose-containing foods.

There is currently no way to treat celiac disease / Sprue medication. However, the production of appropriate drugs is being researched.

Although the gluten leads to the typical change in the small intestinal mucosa and thus to a disturbed uptake of nutrients. However, the causes of the onset of celiac disease / sprue are ultimately unclear. In addition to a genetic disposition, it is also assumed that stress and psychological stress can also be a trigger for gluten intolerance. In order to be able to consider these burdens in the therapy, the naturopathic treatment should be determined individually after a thorough medical history by the alternative practitioner.

Since the nutrient uptake into the blood in the small intestine is complicated by the celiac disease / sprue, it is important from a naturopathic point of view, the self-healing forces, among others z. B. through the use of Bach flowers, strengthen immune system and or strengthen Schüssler salts.

Is there a chance of recovery??

However, it is clear that once a celiac sprue has broken out, it can not be cured. Neither the whole food according to Dr. med. Bruker still the so-called Bioresonanzherapie could heal so far a Gluten intolerance, since the basis of the incompatibility lies in a genetic disposition. Only the transient celiac disease, which is very rare and usually occurs in children under two years, is a temporary form of celiac disease. After the symptoms have subsided by a corresponding diet, no corresponding antibodies and no change in the small intestinal mucosa can be detected on renewed administration of gluten. However, it is recommended to have the antibodies in the blood checked regularly. (Nd)

Literature:
- Hiller, Andrea: Celiac disease. Know more - understand better. Trias Publisher: Stuttgart.
- German Celiac Society Society e.V.

Picture 1: Benjamin Thorn