A person who has been experiencing unpleasant symptoms after eating food containing wheat may suspect he or she has celiac disease since that autoimmune disorder has been getting a significant amount of attention from the media, grocery stores, and restaurants. But what happens when the test for celiac disease turns out negative? This patient may have a food allergy instead, which is not the same health disorder. The allergy may be to wheat instead of gluten. An allergy doctor in Elizabethtown KY often can diagnose the food allergy with a blood test or a skin reaction test.
Wheat allergies affect many people, although the condition doesn’t get as much attention as celiac disease tends to. A primary reason is that celiac disease appears to be significantly more common than wheat allergy. In addition, each person suffering from celiac disease must refrain from eating any gluten whatsoever because the body reacts by damaging the digestive tract. Specifically, an autoimmune reaction causes damage to the intestinal lining, preventing that organ from effectively absorbing nutrients. Usually, the damage is reversible as long as the patient stops consuming gluten. In contrast, most people with wheat allergies only deal with minor symptoms.
Wheat allergies can cause upset stomach, hives, sneezing and wheezing. Some people feel fatigued after eating wheat, while others develop headaches. However, it’s unusual for anyone to experience a serious or life-threatening reaction after eating wheat. An Allergy Doctor in Elizabethtown KY does the testing for diagnosis, but unfortunately, testing for this allergy is not always conclusive. Eliminating wheat from the diet entirely for a period of time can shed light on whether that food substance was causing the symptoms. After diagnosis, allergists strongly encourage their patients to stop eating the substance, even if only minor reactions have occurred so far. There is always the possibility that a more severe allergic reaction will occur in the future, and it’s important to minimize that risk. Allergy clinics can provide a large amount of information on products containing wheat, many of which are not obvious without learning more. Visit website for details on this particular facility.
