Could Gluten Be My Problem?

Could Gluten Be My Problem?

Awhile back I posted a blog about gluten intolerance. You can check it out: Gluten Intolerance. I'm finding there's still some grey area and questions I would like to help answer. One interesting thing has happened since I posted that blog - - my GI doctor told me she's very sure I have celiac disease. What? I thought gluten issues were a fad? I thought you had to be underweight and very sick to have celiac. How wrong was I? Now, there are many people who suffer from severe celiac disease and I applaud them for the fight they endure every day to just live their daily lives. What I didn't know was the variety of symptoms. 

At this time, I have chosen to not be officially tested. Reason being there are 2 tests available and I'm not ready for either of them. First is a blood sample but you must have consumed gluten products for 2 weeks before it is taken and the second is an intestinal biopsy. I know I cannot function if I simply consume a small amount of gluten let alone 2 weeks worth and the biopsy, while not that big of a deal, is just a procedure I'm not interested in currently. My doctor is very ok with this. She knows I'm improved immensely since going gluten free and whether it's a severe intolerance or true celiac, the treatment is the same - stay gluten free!

According to the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, 1 in 133 people have celiac disease or approximately 1% of the population. Nearly 83% of these patients will be misdiagnosed for years. Up to 22% of them will have a relative with celiac as well.

According to my doctor, GI specialists are recognizing the seriousness of gluten intolerance/sensitivity. This means the person does not have celiac disease but has a problem with gluten. While it's a fad when it comes to people trying to lose weight, it's a very real diagnosis for many people. According to a physician-reviewed article on About Health - Celiac, they also have estimated that gluten sensitivity/intolerance is a problem for as much as 7-10% of the population. Some physicians are going as far as estimating 50% of the population may have some problems with gluten. Now because there is no official test for gluten intolerance, these numbers are estimates. Physicians have to sort through symptoms and patients must adhere to a gluten-free diet and if it works, you have your diagnosis. Interestingly, there are some new lab tests that can look for gluten sensitivity and it's been found that up to 65% of those that suffer from irritable bowel syndrome test positive for the sensitivity. That is a huge percentage! I had this test performed a few years ago, before I got serious about going gluten free, and my test was very positive! I had sensitivities to wheat, barley, rye, millet, and more. It's the first time I even considered gluten as being the culprit to my daily problems.

Understanding the difference between true celiac disease and gluten intolerance/sensitivity can be difficult. Take a moment to look at this chart provided by the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness. It is very helpful in understanding the different diagnoses.

So let's go into some more discussion of symptoms. The variety is actually unbelievable. There are over 300 symptoms that can be tied to celiac disease! You can take a look at the list here. No wonder diagnosing celiac and gluten intolerance is such a challenge! Now the first thing people think of is digestive complaints. While this is true, and is the most prevalent symptom in children, it may not be for adults. Let's break it down. These are the symptom lists from Celiac Disease Foundation. The most common symptoms in children:

• Abdominal bloating and pain
• Chronic diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Pale, foul-smelling, or fatty stools
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Irritability and behavioral issues
• Dental enamel defects of the permanent teeth
• Delayed growth and puberty
• Short stature
• Failure to thrive
• ADHD

Now, children do not have to have all of these symptoms! These are simply the most commonly reported symptoms associated with a celiac diagnosis in children. Now let's look at the list for adults. While 1/3 of adults will report digestive system complaints, the most commonly other reported symptoms are:

• Unexplained iron-deficiency anemia
• Fatigue
• Bone and/or joint pain
• Arthritis
• Bone loss or osteoporosis
• Depression and/or anxiety
• Tingling numbness in the hands and feet
• Seizures or migraines
• Missed menstrual periods
• Infertility or recurrent miscarriage
• Canker sores
• Itchy skin rash (dermatitis herpetiformis)

Again, adults may not have all of these symptoms. It just is very helpful in painting the clinic picture of celiac disease. Now what about symptoms of gluten sensitivity/intolerance? According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, the top reported symptoms of gluten sensitivity/intolerance are:

• Foggy mind
• Depression
• ADHD-like behavior
• Abdominal pain
• Bloating
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Headaches
• Bone and/or joint pain
• Chronic fatigue

Just like with celiac disease, you do not have to have all of these symptoms but they are the most common. There are also hundreds more symptoms that 'can' be tied back to gluten sensitivity/intolerance. The list of hundreds of symptoms I shared earlier is almost identical to the list of gluten sensitivity/intolerance symptoms. 

So what is the cure? It's very simple. For both celiac disease and gluten intolerance/sensitivity, the cure is a 100% gluten free diet! Combined with a positive attitude, you can watch your symptoms disappear. As I talked about in my first blog post on this topic, I saw huge improvements in digestive issues, migraines, asthma, allergies, anxiety, frequent infections, and general well-being. Now please know that the years of damage and inflammation from eating gluten will not disappear overnight. Your body will need time to heal, usually several months. You will instantly 'feel' better but will continue to see improvements over the next 6 months to 2 years.

If you're considering gluten may be a problem for you, this checklist will help you break your symptoms down. Fill it out, print it up, and take it with you to your doctor. Unfortunately many physicians still don't fully understand or will even diagnose a gluten sensitivity/intolerance. You must advocate for yourself! If they are not comfortable with the diagnosis, then seek out a specialist who is! Get yourself examined by an expert. The symptoms associated with celiac and gluten intolerance/sensitivity can also be warning signs to other underlying diagnoses so please don't make this diagnosis without a health care provider's assistance. 

When you're ready to go gluten free, the internet will be your best friend. There are so many wonderful resources, recipes, online shopping, etc that will help make your transition a positive one. Here's a great article by the Mayo Clinic on gluten free diets. The most important part of a gluten free diet is preparation! You must read every single label. You have to study menus before going to restaurants or request their gluten free or allergy menu. Yes it is a pain but the pain of gluten symptoms is far worse!

Here's some great websites to help you in your journey:

Celiac Disease Foundation

National Foundation for Celiac Awareness

I Got Glutened! Now What?

I Got Glutened! Now What?

Sigh.... we've all done it. Every gluten free girl and guy out there has successfully gotten 'glutened'. You try so hard - read every label, ask 100 questions, check and double check - but sometimes, it sneaks in and you definitely don't see it coming. Now it's a few moments or few hours later and you feel like a truck hit you. As I write this post, I am recovering from a mild gluten exposure. I say mild because I'm doing half-way decent at the moment but if you had talked to me at 2am during the night, I thought I was dying! I spent hours pacing my apartment, praying for the pain to pass. Today I was exhausted and had headaches but I was able to perk up faster than ever before! That's right - there is good news! You can help yourself recover and get back to feeling fab faster than you thought possible! 

Now, I am not talking to my Celiacs out there. You are a unique group and know what you need to do to recover from your illness when it flares. While you may find this post interesting and helpful in ways, it's not geared towards you. But my gluten intolerant folks out there - this IS for you!

When you suffer from gluten poisoning, there are a variety of symptoms that may occur. Some feel them nearly immediately. Nausea and vomiting are the symptoms can present the quickest. Abdominal pain, bloating and gas, diarrhea, headaches, brain fog, body aches, and extreme fatigue are the most common symptoms that follow. These can develop over a few hours to a few days. Really the symptoms of being 'glutened' vary from one person to another.

One of the most obvious symptoms is the bloating that some of us get. I had never seen anything like this til I experienced it myself. The longer I stay off gluten, the faster this reaction tends to happen. It used to take a solid 12 hours but now I can begin to see the changes within a few hours of being 'glutened'.

The progression of my bloating after being 'glutened' March of 2014

There you have it. I'm not looking so hot! The first picture is the most impressive so here's that one by itself:

Honestly makes me sick looking at these pictures! Not to mention I am really not feeling well so try to look away from how terrible I look! Please know I am sharing what were some of my worst days with you so you can understand the intensity of what being 'glutened' can feel like. One of the things to note is not only is there obvious abdominal swelling but if you compare it to the final picture, there is swelling of the arms, chin, and face visible as well. This really affects the entire body! I can't tell you what it was like trying to squeeze my suddenly pregnant-feeling belly into a tight scrub top the next day!

And while bloating is the most obvious, the silent symptoms are the worst. The headaches are unbelievable. The abdominal cramping will stop you in your tracks. The nausea and indigestion are enough to make you swear off food all together. Now for the lovely side of things - the changes in bowel movements just plain sucks. Some deal with diarrhea, some with constipation, some a mix of the two. There's always lovely gas and as your intestines are so beyond inflamed, there can be mucous as well. See, didn't I tell you it was lovely? Trust me - I don't want to talk about this but I feel like I need to share what can happen so that if it's happening to you or a loved one, you can really get it. This is no joke people. It's utter misery! 

Now for the good news! You CAN help yourself recover from these gluten poisonings! Today I'm going to highlight the top ways to get yourself back on track ASAP!

1. If at all possible, identify what food was your source. If there are left-overs, throw them away! Make a note so you can avoid this in the future! You may be able to handle the corn tortilla chips at one restaurant but not another - it can be that simple! 
2. Drink water! Water, water, and more water is your friend. You need to flush your body of the toxin as quickly and efficiently as possible.
3. Avoid caffeinated and carbonated beverages. This is the last thing your gut needs right now! Bubbles will only make the intestines feel worse and caffeine can make diarrhea and nausea worse so just stay away!
4. Make some tea! Ginger, peppermint, and chamomile herbal teas are known for their properties to help ease stomach and intestinal discomfort. Since these are decaf and non-sugared, they also count towards your daily water intake, so drink up!
5. Get probiotics on board! If you are already on a high quality probiotic, good for you! Whatever dose you are taking, I typically recommend doubling it during the time your body is suffering from the gluten. If you are not taking a probiotic, please invest in a high quality one ASAP. (I will address more on probiotics in a future post).
6. Keep your foods simple. You need lots of protein to heal and recover but stay away from complex foods, grease, very fatty, spicy, and super salty foods. Stick to whole food goodness. Boil your vegetables so they are easier to digest. Eat multiple small meals throughout the day.
7. Rest! If at all possible, nap and rest. Your body is going through a lot of inflammation and it desperately needs all the energy possible to maintain its recovery efforts. A light walk is fine to help move things along but don't stress yourself. Listen to your body and when you're tired - give in!
8. Use alternative methods to help heal yourself. I am so lucky and blessed to have essential oils in my life. A combination of ginger, peppermint, fennel, orange, lavender, and basil will help you feel better fast. Simply inhaling the oils can help ease symptoms. If you're interested in essential oils, contact me.
9. Take ibuprofen when you need it. While I am the first to tell you to stick with alternate methods of healing first before reaching for a medicine bottle, there is some solid evidence that getting ibuprofen on board early in the recovery process from gluten is very helpful. I recommend taking it every 6-8 hours to help with aches (both body and head) and also decreasing the inflammation in the gut.  
10. Honor yourself. Keep tabs on how you feel. Sometimes it will change hour by hour. Treat yourself kindly. Use a heating pad, take a warm bath, enjoy a good book, and just take care of yourself. If you let go and just let your body heal, you will likely recover much quicker!

From one gluten free girl to all my other gluten free girls and guys - I wish you luck in never being 'glutened' but I also hope this has armed you with some new ideas to help you recover if it ever does happen!
If you have any tried and true recovery ideas, please post them in the comments below!

Gluten Intolerance

Living a Gluten Free Life - Gluten Intolerance

Food allergies and intolerance issues are blowing up on social media! I'd like to deviate away from essential oils and tackle this topic today. 

Everyone seems to understand and accept food allergies. People are allergic to peanuts, shellfish, tree nuts, and a little of everything else. The general public accepts this and acknowledges the potential danger that occurs if the item is ingested or sometimes even inhaled or touched. But what about food intolerance? Ah, this is where the debate begins!

Gluten free diets have gotten a bad reputation. People who deal with Celiac disease have been living gluten free lives for many many years, long before gluten free was cool! They have extreme illness and intestinal damage when gluten is consumed so they must live a gluten free life to stay healthy. But what about everyone else? Yes, most people will lose weight if they go gluten free. You are basically going on a lower carb diet and watching what you eat - therefore there is weight loss. But with so many commercial gluten free options out there - it is no guaranteed healthy change! Then there are those of us who are gluten free because we are intolerant. Now you will read a lot of information that this is a hoax. Well I'm here to tell my story and you can make the decision for yourself!

Gluten intolerance can present itself with so many symptoms, it's impossible to create a complete list. Basically anything that could stem from inflammation COULD be a gluten intolerance symptom. Well in my mid-20s I was so bogged down with hormone imbalance, devastating asthma, allergies, migraines, and general illness - I knew I had to do something! I went to a physician who specialized in both Western and Holistic Medicine. She was the first to recommend a gluten free diet. Then my PA at my OBGYN office recommended it. So they had to be onto something. I tried it at first - well kind of. Every buy a cheap loaf of gluten free bread? Ha! It's like eating cardboard or possibly worse! I went back and forth and never really read nutrition labels. That's not enough. If you are going gluten free - it's all the way or not at all! 

So before we go any further, what exactly is gluten? Well gluten is a protein found in many grains and commercial products. It helps foods hold their shape and acts like glue.

I don't know what was my tipping point but one day I decided, that's it, I'm done feeling like crap, let's see if this gluten free thing might work. Ladies and gentlemen, let me tell you, one of the BEST decision of my life! Now everyone needs to understand, the gluten in your system can take a few months to really be cleansed out. And you will accidentally gluten yourself with things like soy sauce until you learn where gluten hides. But once you do and your body heals, it is amazing.

Weekly migraines - completely gone and off all medicines

Asthma requiring injections every 2 weeks just to keep me out of the hospital - almost completely gone and able to come off the injections and inhalers

Environmental allergies - much improved

Stomach issues including gallbladder pain and acid reflux - almost completely gone

I did NOTHING else in my life during this time except eliminate gluten. Now, when I do get 'glutened', I look about 7 months pregnant within 24-48 hours. I have miserable headaches, stomach cramps, fatigue, and all-around feel like junk. Now that I see what this does to my body, I know I'm better off without it! You tell me - fad diet or true intolerance?

Now, does everyone need a gluten free life? Absolutely not! Just like everyone isn't lactose intolerant - everyone is not gluten intolerant. But if you suffer from chronic daily complaints, I would highly recommend investing some time and giving it a go! Your body just may thank you for it! The best way to start is an elimination diet. This gets rid of all the top inflammatory foods that could be affecting your body. This is a huge commitment. I chose to simply get rid of gluten and had amazing results with that alone. 

I will do a future post that is more specific to gluten free diets and I'll discuss the elimination diet plan. I'll talk about my favorite GF products, where gluten is hiding, and the most common questions and concerns.... stay tuned!

If you are looking for more information, here's a great place to start: http://celiac.org/celiac-disease/non-celiac-gluten-sensitivity/