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Gluten is a common ingredient found in bread, pasta, and even some medicines and vitamin supplements. If you develop digestive symptoms after consuming certain foods, you might be dealing with gluten intolerance. Thousands of people all over the world suffer from symptoms of gluten intolerance. This blog aims to bring awareness about this debilitating condition and ways to manage it successfully to maintain your quality of life.
What Is Gluten Intolerance?
Gluten is a group of proteins (Glutanin, Gliadin, etc.) commonly found in foods like wheat, rye, and barley. Its main function is to make the dough stretchy and allow it to keep its shape. Gluten is not a bad ingredient. However, some individuals find it difficult to digest, leading to various digestive and non-digestive symptoms. This condition is known as gluten intolerance or non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
According to statistics from the World Population Review, approximately 1.3% of the population in Turkey has gluten intolerance. Understanding the differences between gluten intolerance, celiac disease, and wheat allergy is important for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Gluten intolerance and celiac disease share the same trigger but they are not the same. In celiac disease, eating gluten triggers an autoimmune reaction that causes damage to the intestines. Doctors diagnose it with blood tests and intestinal biopsy and it is more severe.
In gluten intolerance, the symptoms are due to gluten sensitivity. There is no tissue damage or long-term complications. Therefore, gluten intolerance in Istanbul, similar to the rest of the world, is a diagnosis of exclusion. Unlike symptoms of gluten intolerance, a wheat allergy can be triggered by any wheat protein (not limited to gluten).
Wheat allergy is a hypersensitivity reaction (IgE-mediated) and causes immediate symptoms such as hives, difficulty breathing, anaphylaxis, etc. Severe cases of wheat allergy are a medical emergency.
If you suspect that you may have gluten intolerance symptoms, you can seek an expert clinical consultation at any Medical Park Hospital across Turkey.
What Are the Symptoms of Gluten Intolerance?
Symptoms of gluten intolerance may be grouped into digestive and non-digestive categories, and usually develop a few hours or days after consuming gluten. Many seek an expert opinion for gluten intolerance in Istanbul due to its symptom overlap with conditions like Irritable bowel Syndrome.
Patients with gluten intolerance in Turkey present with the following digestive complaints:
• Bloating and gas
• Stomach ache
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Nausea/vomiting
The non-digestive symptoms of gluten intolerance are as follows:
• Brain fog and fatigue
• Depression and anxiety
• Joint pain
• Muscle aches
• Headaches
• Paresthesia of arms and legs
• Skin rash or irritation
Many international patients seek treatment for gluten intolerance in Turkey due to better accessibility to affordable healthcare services.
What Causes Gluten Intolerance?
The exact underlying cause of gluten intolerance is not fully understood. However, some possible causes include dysfunction of the intestinal lining, imbalance of the gut bacteria, and differences in metabolism and the immune system regulation.
Gluten intolerance in infants is difficult to confirm because it requires a clinical diagnosis. Moreover, similar symptoms in infants are more commonly due to celiac disease, wheat allergies, or immaturity of the digestive tract. On the other hand, symptoms of gluten intolerance are more commonly observed in adults. Possible triggers include type of lifestyle, diet, recurrent infections, or chronic inflammation of the gut lining. These symptoms have an important part in daily living. However, growing awareness of gluten intolerance has led to easy access to gluten-free products.
Is Gluten Intolerance a Gluten Allergy?
Patients seeking treatment for gluten intolerance may suspect a gluten allergy. However, the biological mechanisms for both these conditions are very different. An allergy is an immune reaction involving antibodies (IgE). This causes the release of histamine, resulting in rapid onset of symptoms. The symptoms of an allergic response may be so serious that it might require a hospital stay and emergency care.
Gluten intolerance on the other hand does not trigger an immune response or release of IgE. Patients with gluten intolerance develop symptoms due to gut irritation or inflammation. Managing gluten intolerance in Turkey is a bit challenging due to the local diet, which relies heavily on wheat-based ingredients. However, restaurants and cafes catering to gluten intolerance in Istanbul and other cities are becoming more inclusive with their offering.
How Is Gluten Intolerance Diagnosed?
Unlike celiac disease, gluten intolerance in Turkey is a diagnosis of exclusion and usually requires a thorough clinical evaluation by a healthcare professional. Many people seek expert medical consultation for gluten intolerance in Istanbul because of advanced diagnostic facilities.
A gluten intolerance symptom test in Turkey is the next step after ruling out celiac disease, and wheat allergy. It involves the following steps:
• Removing gluten from the diet completely for two to six weeks • Tracking symptoms in a symptom journal during this time • Adding gluten to diet again after 2 - 6 weeks for a minimum of three days • Keep an eye on symptoms starting from a few hours after consumption of gluten • A gluten flare up at this time suggests non-celiac gluten sensitivity
How Are Gluten Intolerance Symptoms Treated?
The treatment guidelines for gluten intolerance in Turkey follow international protocols. These include lifestyle modifications, diet changes, and symptom tracking under the guidance of a trained nutritionist. Gluten intolerance symptoms have no cure.
For patients with gluten intolerance in Turkey, there is no better place for expert care than the Medical Park Hospitals. Spread across more than 27 locations, the Medical Park Hospitals provide effective treatment to thousands of both local and international patients every year. Medical Park hospitals are staffed by 2500 trained and certified doctors and other healthcare professionals and carry many international certifications like JCI. Patients seeking the best treatment for gluten intolerance in Turkey can confidently turn to Medical Park Hospitals, known for their trusted and reliable care.