How to Diagnose a Gluten Allergy
A gluten allergy is commonly misdiagnosed because its symptoms include intestinal upset, diarrhea and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. For this reason, it's especially important for people to be aware of their own bodies and to seek medical advice when things seem out of control.
Ordinary bouts of diarrhea and intestinal upset last only a few days, but a gluten allergy gradually appears over weeks or months, sometimes even years. Gluten allergies are also known as celiac disease, and cause scars in the small intestinal tract that prevent proper absorption of nutrients.
Gluten is found in many common cooking ingredients and foods including bread, oats, barley and rye. People diagnosed with a gluten allergy must alter their diets to prevent complications.
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Instructions
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Diagnosis of a gluten allergy may take weeks or longer because symptoms mimic common conditions such as IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). A visit to your doctor is the first step toward obtaining a diagnosis.
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Performing various food-allergy tests is the first step that many doctors will take. This takes time. He or she may also prescribe anti-diarrhea medications, but be extra careful not to allow yourself to become dehydrated.
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Undergoing an upper GI endoscopy is often the only definitive method to diagnose a gluten allergy, but this test is quite expensive.
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Ask your doctor about gluten-allergy specific tests that may be run on blood-draw samples. However, be advised that such tests will have to be given twice---once when eating a normal diet and then again after eating a gluten-free diet.
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Tips & Warnings
Try eradicating gluten products from your diet first if you feel you might have a gluten allergy. In most cases, if gluten is the cause of your symptoms, they will gradually disappear. However, resist the urge to self-diagnose. Schedule a visit with your family doctor and follow his or her advice or guidance.
Left untreated a gluten allergy may cause or lead to bone disease, anemia, and other more severe medical conditions. Always seek the advice of a doctor when something doesn't seem right with your body.
