| Celiac disease affects the small intestine and slows | | | | person has Celiac disease until it manifests itself, |
| the absorption of nutrients from foods. People who | | | | although blood tests can identify if one has the |
| suffer from celiac disease have developed allergies to | | | | disease once they start to exhibit symptoms. |
| gluten, a protein that is found in wheat, rye and | | | | A wheat allergy is different in that the symptoms |
| barley. Gluten is used as a thickener in sauces, soups | | | | usually include some sort of physical suffering, but |
| and ice cream and is the protein that helps bread rise | | | | not lasting damage. Symptoms can include excessive |
| when it is baked. | | | | gas, nausea, skin ailments, rashes and many other |
| The main difference between a wheat allergy and | | | | unpleasant conditions. When the person cuts out |
| Celiac disease is that with a wheat allergy, the | | | | wheat and wheat based products the symptoms |
| afflicted suffers from unpleasant side effects and | | | | usually disappear with no long term problems. |
| their energy is drained, but that is the extent of their | | | | Doctors and scientists have long investigated the link |
| suffering. A person with Celiac disease ends up | | | | between wheat allergies and Celiac disease. There |
| having their small intestine lining damaged or | | | | are some hypotheses that suggest that wheat |
| destroyed as the body's immune system reacts to | | | | intolerance or allergies could be the stress trigger |
| gluten being in the person's system. The immune | | | | which activates Celiac disease. There are other lines |
| system senses the body is being attacked and | | | | of thought that Celiac disease is caused by eating |
| proceeds to destroy the villi, small, fingerlike | | | | gluten and it is the Celiac disease that triggers the |
| protrusions that line the intestinal wall and allows the | | | | symptoms of wheat intolerance or allergies. |
| body to absorb nutrients. | | | | It is very difficult to know which is true, as both |
| Without villi, the body has a very difficult time | | | | have similar symptoms and Celiac disease literally can |
| absorbing minerals and nutrients and the person | | | | cause hundreds of symptoms that may not readily |
| suffering from this disease can become malnourished. | | | | be associated with either condition. The best advice |
| This can lead to many different other ailments and if | | | | for someone who thinks they might be wheat |
| not treated can end up causing liver, kidney, heart | | | | intolerant is to get tested for Celiac disease after |
| failure and chronic weakness. For people with Celiac | | | | their initial diagnosis. It is important to determine both, |
| disease, a gluten free diet is necessary. | | | | however because the longer Celiac disease is left |
| Celiac disease is generally thought to be genetic and | | | | untreated, the greater the risk of malnutrition and/or |
| can be activated after surgery, pregnancy, childbirth, | | | | organ damage. If a person thinks they are wheat |
| viral infections or stress. It is usually passed along | | | | intolerant, or are wheat intolerant, they should get a |
| generations although it can skip generations and | | | | blood test to see if they have Celiac disease, just to |
| frequently does. There is no real way of telling if a | | | | make sure. |