Gluten intolerance or sensitivity is extremely difficult to diagnose since it does not typically show up on blood work. Fortunately, here are seven warning signs of gluten intolerance to help track symptoms in case of lifestyle and diet changes.
1. Mouth Ulcers
The tiny, round sores found inside the mouth are often caused by several factors with gluten intolerance being one of them. Mouth ulcers often appear unexplained which can be a warning sign of gluten intolerance, according to Natural News.
2. Fibromyalgia
Many experts believe that Fibromyalgia is not a disease but a symptom of gluten intolerance mostly found in grains. Any inflammation in the connective issues is one of the most apparent warning signs of gluten intolerance as the body thinks gluten is an enemy and sends antibodies to destroy it.
3. Keratosis Pilaris
Keratosis Pilaris, also known as chicken skin, is a condition that forces skin to appear with raised, hard bumps that look like goosebumps which do not go away. Similarly, unexplained rashes, acne and a flush complexion are also signs of gluten intolerance.
4. Hormonal Issues
Studies are now underway to understanding the connection between gluten intolerance and polycystic ovarian syndrome, unexplained fertility and premenstrual syndrome. However, it is often believed that these issues could get worse when gluten is consumed.
5. Digestive Problems
Since gluten intolerance is considered as food intolerance, digestive problems such as diarrhea, constipation and abdominal pain are natural to occur. Most of these symptoms appear after eating something that contains gluten making it easy to pinpoint the problem.
6. Joint Pain And Numbness In Extremities
Joint pain is similar to pain experienced with arthritis while the numbness is similar to the pins-and-needles type of sensation. The pain and numbness are often felt in the knees, hips and fingers. Unfortunately, numbness in the extremities and joint pain are commonly not attributed to gluten intolerance as people often dismiss the symptoms to fatigue.
7. Autoimmune Diagnosis
Gluten intolerance may be a culprit when diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, according to David Wolfe. Autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, psoriasis or lupus often lead to the damage of the small intestine when not treated.
