Gluten Related Disorders
The following conditions are all gluten-related disorders:
Gluten Ataxia
Gluten ataxia is a rare autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the nervous system as a reaction to eating gluten. The nervous system is made of your brain, spinal cord, and nerves. It controls what we do, think, feel and the automatic processes of breathing, heartbeat and digestion. Symptoms of gluten ataxia can include difficulty speaking, poor balance, tingling in arms and legs, and damage to the part of the brain that controls muscle movements, posture and balance. Gluten ataxia can be related to celiac disease or NCGWS. People with gluten ataxia often do not present with the common gastrointestinal symptoms reported among people with celiac disease. A strict gluten-free diet (GFD) improves symptoms with gluten ataxia. Early diagnosis and treatment with the strict GFD can help stop neurological progression of this disease, like brain damage.
Wheat Allergy
Wheat allergy is a type of food allergy.
Food allergy happens when the immune system reacts abnormally to a food, usually proteins found in the food. Even a tiny amount of wheat can trigger symptoms in wheat allergy. The symptoms of wheat allergy usually develop quickly after eating wheat or triticale and rapidly progress from mild to severe.
Wheat allergy symptoms include a red raised rash anywhere on the body (hives or urticaria), tingling or itchiness in the mouth, breathing difficulties, a drop in blood pressure, swelling of the face, lips or eyes, sneezing or a blocked nose, and digestive symptoms like nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or diarrhea. While symptoms between celiac disease and wheat allergy overlap, the two conditions are not the same. Treatment of celiac disease and wheat allergy is also different. Individuals with wheat allergy must avoid only wheat and triticale, not all sources of gluten like a person with celiac disease. Treatment of celiac disease and wheat allergy is also different. Individuals with wheat allergy must avoid only wheat and triticale, not all sources of gluten like a person with celiac disease.
Non-Celiac Gluten/Wheat Sensitivity
Non-celiac gluten/wheat sensitivity (NCGWS) is a condition where people have symptoms after eating gluten but DO NOT have celiac disease or wheat allergy. The symptoms of NCGWS are highly variable and can include the digestive system like bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea and constipation. People with NCGWS may also experience symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, numbness, joint pain, or skin rash. Like celiac disease, an individual with NCGWS may also have more than one symptom. However, unlike celiac disease, people with NCGWS do not show positive results on celiac blood tests or have any damage to their intestine. What is most important for the public and health care professionals to know is that the diagnosis of NCGWS requires excluding celiac disease first. Also, a gluten/wheat-free diet should NOT be started before screening for celiac disease.
