Gluten sensitivity is a condition where sensitivity to foods containing gluten occurs and can often cause digestive issues. Celiac disease, on the other hand, is an autoimmune disease that arises when the immune system perceives gluten as a foreign substance. In this condition, consuming gluten leads to significant intestinal damage. Gluten sensitivity and celiac disease are often confused because they cause similar symptoms. However, the mechanisms, diagnosis methods, and treatment approaches for these two conditions are different.
What is Celiac Disease?
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that develops due to the body's abnormal reaction to gluten in genetically at-risk individuals. When gluten is consumed, damage occurs in the small intestinal mucosa, which can disrupt the absorption of vitamins and minerals.
People with celiac disease must avoid consuming foods containing gluten. Symptoms can be alleviated with dietary changes after diagnosis.
What Are the Symptoms of Celiac Disease?
Celiac disease can present with different symptoms in each patient. The most common findings are as follows:
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Abdominal pain
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Chronic diarrhea or constipation
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Weight loss
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Anemia
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Growth retardation in children
Since these symptoms can also be seen in other digestive system diseases, evaluation by a specialist physician is necessary for an accurate diagnosis.
What is Gluten Sensitivity?
Gluten sensitivity refers to sensitivity or intolerance to gluten, a protein found in barley, wheat, and rye. In this condition, the body cannot digest gluten, leading to digestive problems.
The symptoms of gluten sensitivity include bloating, diarrhea, abdominal pain, constipation, and fatigue. Unlike celiac disease, it does not cause permanent intestinal damage and is not based on an autoimmune mechanism.
What Are the Symptoms of Gluten Sensitivity?
Although gluten sensitivity does not have symptoms as severe as celiac disease, it can still manifest with varying symptoms that affect daily life. A key feature of this condition is that it can cause symptoms outside of the digestive system.
Symptoms of gluten sensitivity:
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Bloating and gas in the abdomen
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Abdominal pain
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Headache
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Weakness and fatigue
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Joint pains
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Attention deficit and difficulty concentrating
Although the symptoms resemble those of celiac disease, they are milder and do not cause damage to the intestinal mucosa.
What is the Difference Between Gluten Sensitivity and Celiac Disease?
Because gluten sensitivity and celiac disease share similar symptoms, they are often mistaken for the same disease, but they are actually different.
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Basis of the Disease
Celiac is an autoimmune disease where the immune system reacts excessively to gluten, causing the body to attack its own tissues. The body perceives gluten as a foreign substance and damages its own intestinal tissues.
In gluten sensitivity, such an immune response is not present. Discomforting symptoms may arise more from the intestines and nervous system when gluten is consumed.
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Effect on the Intestines
In celiac disease, damage gradually occurs on the surface of the small intestine. This damage prevents the absorption of vitamins and minerals, leading to problems such as anemia or osteoporosis.
In gluten sensitivity, there is no permanent structural alteration in the intestines. A person may feel bloating, pain, and fatigue when consuming gluten, but long-term organ damage does not develop.
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Diagnostic Methods
Celiac disease can be definitively diagnosed via blood tests and biopsy obtained during endoscopy. Therefore, tests should be conducted before starting a gluten-free diet.
In gluten sensitivity, there is no laboratory test available. The diagnosis can be made mainly through an elimination diet, i.e., the reduction of symptoms when gluten is removed from the diet.
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Nutritional Requirement
People with celiac disease must follow a lifelong gluten-free diet. Even a small bite of gluten can restart the intestinal damage.
For those with gluten sensitivity, the situation is more flexible. Some individuals may tolerate small amounts of gluten, while others may need to avoid it entirely.
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Long-Term Risks
If celiac is not treated, serious health issues such as osteoporosis, infertility, and intestinal cancer may develop. Although gluten sensitivity reduces quality of life, it does not cause permanent organ damage in the long term.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can't people with celiac disease eat?
People with celiac disease cannot consume any grains containing gluten such as wheat, barley, and rye and foods made from them like bread, pasta, and biscuits. Gluten-free foods like rice, corn, and quinoa should be preferred.
How is a gluten sensitivity test done?
There is no specific laboratory method for a gluten sensitivity test. An elimination diet can be applied; an evaluation can be made by observing whether symptoms decrease when gluten is removed from the diet.
How is gluten sensitivity recognized in children?
In children, gluten sensitivity manifests with symptoms such as abdominal pain, irritability, bloating, and fatigue. Parents should consult a pediatric gastroenterologist if they notice these complaints.
What should celiac patients watch out for when eating out?
Celiac patients should investigate the ingredients used and cooking methods when dining out. Even the smallest cross-contamination can cause damage to the intestines.