The Risks of Gluten Intolerance
Celiac disease, most often called gluten intolerance, can be a condition that is mild at first but can pose some significant health risks. First of all, the condition is hard to diagnose, with its symptoms being similar to other health problems that are not as serious. Even a combination of its most common symptoms does not trigger an immediate diagnosis, delaying its treatment and exacerbating (heightening) its effects. Celiac disease can occur at any age, and is most prevalent in Caucasians and people of European decent. It also affects more women than men. Its exact cause is not known, but it is an autoimmune disease where the villi of the small intestine flatten with the consumption of Gluten, preventing the proper absorption of nutrients Gluten is found in wheat, oats, barley and rye, and consuming it, for some people, can pose the following risks:
- Autoimmune diseases. Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus can develop, since there is already an autoimmune disease present.
- Neurological conditions. Ranging from mild to severe, conditions resulting from a lack of neurological nutrients can cause numbness, tingling and even paralysis if not treated.
- Osteoporosis or osteopenia. A lack of calcium being absorbed by the body can affect the bones and joints, leading to stress fractures, joint swelling, and synovial fluid loss in the joints.
- Anemia. A lack of absorption of nutrients in the body, especially iron, can lead to anemia. If the condition gets serious enough, it leads to systemic shut-down of the liver and kidneys, and can cause severe organ damage or death.
- Thyroid disease. With nutrients not properly absorbed in the intestines, necessary iodine components are lacking, leading to hypothyroidism which causes fatigue and irritability.
- Miscarriage and unexplained infertility. If a woman’s body is undernourished due to the lack of nutrient absorption in the intestines, she may miscarry a pregnancy or be unable to conceive, since the body signals that she is not able to sustain the fetus’s life.
There are other risks associated with celiac disease, or gluten intolerance. The best thing is to do a little bit of research and speak to your doctor for your personal health risks in having this disease, if it has been diagnosed. He or she will also suggest that you eat a diet that is gluten free in order to reverse some or all of the damage done in the disease process, and will suggest diet guidelines in order for you to live gluten free.
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