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After visiting the allergist's office, you learned about the existence of an allergy to gluten. Let's take a closer look at what kind of disease it is and where an unfamiliar substance is contained. Gluten is one of the proteins that provokes allergy attacks in adults and children. This substance is found in the composition of cereal-containing plants. The presence of gluten in oats, barley, wheat, rye is beyond doubt. It is worth noting that initially oats do not contain gluten in their composition. But as a result of mutual pollination with wheat ears, as well as due to the use of the same technique for harvesting both oats and wheat, the synthesis and accumulation of harmful protein occurs. Avenin, a protein found in oats, also causes cross-allergy Therefore, it should also be abandoned.
Allergy or intolerance to a substance?
The body's reaction to gluten can be caused by an allergy, which may go away with time. The body gets used to the presence of this substance in the products. The phenomenon is called desensitization, simply speaking, the loss of sensitivity to a given protein.
Another thing is when it comes to celiac disease - gluten intolerance by the body. This phenomenon is associated with enzymes that during the period of illness do not process gluten in the small intestine. Villi in the intestine provoke inflammation, useful substances are not absorbed, which leads to the occurrence of dermatitis, stomatitis, anemia and other unpleasant symptoms of celiac disease. In this case, of course, you will have to abandon this product altogether.
An interesting fact: not only people suffer from celiac disease, but also pets: cats and dogs.
Gluten is popularly known as gluten. This protein is made up of gliadin and glutenin. Wheat contains from 7 to 15% gluten. According to the World Health Organization, about 1-2% of people worldwide are allergic to gluten. On a global scale, this is a rather impressive number of patients.
Symptoms
The symptoms of this disease have been well studied by specialists, but it manifests itself differently in people depending on the general physical condition, age and a number of other factors. A symptom common to all patients and the first sign of an illness is digestive disorders and diarrhea, bloating, and flatulence. It is possible that the opposite of indigestion is a phenomenon - constipation, which is also a signal of a violation of the intestines.
The cessation of the normal absorption of nutrients into the body is fraught with the manifestation of such symptoms:
- Weight loss (abrupt)
- Joint pain
- Susceptibility to viral infections
- Spontaneous fractures associated with a lack of vitamin D, K
- Seizures (lack of vitamin A)
- Brittle hair, nails, poor dental health
- Dry skin
- Hives
- Visual impairment
Gluten allergy is accompanied by atopic dermatitis . Hypersensitivity to protein components is usually found in people whose professional activities are related to baking bakery products. Or if a person lives in close proximity to such an enterprise and daily inhales a substance dangerous to the body, which leads to the appearance of chronic rhinitis (nasal congestion) and asthmatic attacks of suffocation.
Reaction in infants and young children
Symptoms of gluten allergy in children are more pronounced, since the lack of nutrients caused by disruption of the intestines directly affects the growth and development of the baby. It is worth immediately paying attention to the appearance of a rash on the baby's skin, excessive irritability, violation of the regimen and the appearance of insomnia, lack of appetite. The child cannot complain of being unwell, so parents should carefully monitor the condition of their offspring.
Usually, children under one year old suffer from this disease, since gluten is not absorbed by the intestines, so it is recommended to start complementary foods with cereals after this age, when the intestinal microflora is less at risk.
Symptoms of a gluten allergy in a child:
- Rash on baby's body
- Swelling of the extremities (associated with a lack of vitamin A in the body)
- Nervousness (and in some cases, on the contrary, indifference, that is, an indifferent attitude to everything that happens)
- Backlog in weight gain
- Violation of the body's metabolic processes
Like any allergic reaction, gluten rejection has a number of associated side effects:
- Quincke's edema
- Bronchospasms
- Anaphylactic shock
- Slow pace of development
- Susceptibility to common diseases
- Weakened immunity
An allergy to gluten in an adult may not appear immediately, but only after 2-3 days. It all depends on the individual characteristics of the organism.
Information for pregnant and lactating mothers
It is worth noting that during pregnancy, this ailment does not affect the fetus as such, however, the lack of nutrients, vitamins and minerals in the mother's body indirectly affects the development of the baby.
Breastfeeding has a positive effect on the development of the child. Note that gluten is not able to get into mother's milk, as it is immediately broken down, like other proteins, before entering the intestines. But the baby's body often reacts to the protein contained in breast milk - casein, so you should be on the lookout.
Diagnosis of the disease and methods of treatment
Diagnosis of allergic reactions usually begins with a blood test for the presence of IgE-specific immunoglobulins. If you are allergic to gluten, naturally, products containing gluten are immediately excluded from the diet. Next, a biochemical blood test , after which the doctor makes a final verdict. The patient is prescribed a certain diet , as well as antihistamines (Loratadin) and glucocorticosteroid ointments and gels (Beloderm). The first - to relieve general symptoms, the second - to stop itching.
Gluten Free Diet
If you have been diagnosed with a gluten allergy, of course, you should know where the substance that is unsafe for the body is hiding. It can be found in products such as:
- Bakery products
- Pasta
- Sausages, sausages, minced meat, semi-finished meat products
- Kashi (oatmeal, buckwheat, wheat)
- Sweets: candies, waffles, cakes
- Yoghurts, curds, ice cream
- Sauces, spices, soy meat substitutes
- Coffee, teas with additives
- Grain-based alcohol (forget whiskey, vodka, gin, bourbon, and of course beer)
Beware of gluten!
We will give patients one more useful advice: carefully read the labels of the products you eat. The following inscriptions should alert you: textured vegetable protein, gluten content, the presence of hydrolyzed vegetable protein, modified food starch. These are all veiled traces of the presence of gluten in the product.
Another unpleasant surprise can await an allergic person when opening postal envelopes sealed with a starch-based composition, or when they come into contact with plasticine to which wheat starch is added.
What to eat
After reviewing the list of prohibited foods, the question arises: what can you eat when so many things are banned.
Do not be sad: the list of allowed products is given below: You can: ordinary boiled potatoes without seasonings and sauces, buckwheat porridge, sucrose, seeds, hazelnuts and peanuts, vegetables and fruits, meat products, seafood, milk.
During the period of exacerbation of the disease, it is necessary to take vitamin complexes that support the tone of the body, calcium and iron-containing preparations to replenish the reserves of useful substances in the body.
Be very careful when choosing food for yourself and your child. Try to find products without E-components, without additives and preservatives. This will be the prevention of diseases.
