| There are many different diseases caused by the | | | | exhaustion, infertility, repeated miscarriages, or |
| inability of the body to process gluten. The | | | | even the classic symptoms of celiac. There are |
| problem is that most of these disorders are | | | | over 200 symptoms of celiac disease, many of |
| unnamed, little research has been carried out on | | | | which are not related to the classic form of celiac, |
| them and the symptoms vary greatly. Other than | | | | which is mostly gastrointestinal in nature. In the |
| celiac, the most well-known of the diseases, these | | | | absence of gastrointestinal symptoms, it may not |
| other gluten-related disorders have been given | | | | even occur to your doctor to test for celiac or |
| non-official names such as gluten intolerance and | | | | recommend a trial of the gluten-free diet. Gluten |
| non-celiac gluten. Tests do exist for celiac disease. | | | | intolerance is generally discovered by chance. This |
| These include a blood test to detect anti-gluten | | | | usually occurs when the person who feels that he |
| antibodies and a biopsy of the small intestine to | | | | may be suffering from gluten intolerance anyway, |
| look for lining erosion. | | | | despite negative test results, decides to go on a |
| However, if there is a lack of gluten in your | | | | gluten-free diet. In some cases, the diet will |
| system, fewer antibodies are released and the | | | | produce life-changing improvement in a matter of |
| tests come back negative. In the case of the | | | | weeks, or even days. |
| intestinal biopsy that looks for damage to the | | | | If you are considering a trial of the gluten-free |
| small intestine, if you stop eating gluten, or don't | | | | diet to determine if your symptoms may be |
| eat enough gluten, the damage heals relatively | | | | gluten-related, it is very important that you see |
| quickly and may not be detected. | | | | your doctor first for testing related to your |
| Some cases of true celiac may be missed due to | | | | specific symptoms. Although the gluten-free diet |
| a patient not eating enough gluten during the | | | | may improve or eliminate some of your |
| testing process. Gluten intolerance sufferers can | | | | symptoms, it is important that you and your |
| have a wide variety of symptoms which may | | | | doctor make sure nothing more serious is causing |
| include difficulty walking, slurred speech, | | | | your symptoms before you try the gluten-free |
| depression, anxiety, anger control issues, chronic | | | | diet. For more information on the atypical forms |
| fatigue, ADD/ADHD, migraines, seizures, autism, | | | | of celiac, the best source of information is from |
| neuropathy, memory and concentration problems, | | | | people with non-celiac gluten intolerance. |
| pain and mobility issues similar to multiple sclerosis, | | | | |