| Celiac disease is one of the most misunderstood | | | | The allergic reaction can be triggered by many |
| conditions out there. The majority of people | | | | different types of things. Pollen, shellfish, latex and |
| confuse it with a wheat allergy because allergies | | | | peanuts are all common allergens, as is wheat. |
| are something they understand and they don't | | | | When a person comes into contact with a |
| actually know what gluten is. And let's face it - | | | | substance that they are allergic to, their immune |
| not many people who have Celiac disease knew | | | | system produces antibodies to try and combat |
| what the difference was before they got their | | | | that substance just like they would a bacterial |
| diagnosis. | | | | invader. These antibodies, in turn, trigger the |
| This lack of understanding can make it very hard | | | | production of histamines which lead to the all too |
| for people with Celiac disease to find food that | | | | familiar itching, and respiratory symptoms of |
| they can eat and restaurants that can | | | | allergies. |
| accommodate them, though. That's why it's so | | | | In a Celiac sufferer, however, the immune |
| important to clear up some of the misconceptions | | | | system malfunctions in a slightly different way. |
| about Celiac disease out there. | | | | When their immune system detects gluten in their |
| Gluten vs. Wheat | | | | body, it directs the action of antibodies towards |
| While everyone knows what wheat is, there's a | | | | the digestive tract itself. For Celiac sufferers, their |
| great deal of confusion about what gluten is and | | | | immune system actually does damage to their |
| where it comes from. Gluten is actually a type of | | | | intestines, leaving them with both unpleasant |
| protein found in wheat, barley and rye. This | | | | immediate symptoms and long term complications |
| means that people who can't tolerate gluten, like | | | | that develop because they are unable to absorb |
| those with Celiac disease, can't eat anything that's | | | | nutrients from their food. |
| made with or that has come into contact with | | | | Short vs. Long Term Problems |
| any of these grains. Of course it means that | | | | Another main difference between allergies and |
| people with Celiac disease and people with wheat | | | | Celiac symptoms is that allergic reactions are |
| allergies both can't eat wheat, but that's about as | | | | immediate but generally have no long term |
| far as the similarities go. | | | | effects. However, in extreme cases, allergic |
| The Allergy Conundrum | | | | reactions can be immediately life threatening. |
| Another thing that can add to the confusion | | | | Celiac disease, on the other hand, may or may |
| surrounding Celiac disease is that many people | | | | not cause immediate symptoms. In fact, some |
| think of any reaction to a food or other | | | | Celiac sufferers have no digestive symptoms at |
| substance as an allergy. In fact an allergy is a | | | | all, but the damage is still being done to their |
| very specific type of reaction by the immune | | | | intestines. This damage can lead to many more |
| system to a perceived threat. Celiac disease also | | | | serious medical problems including malnutrition and |
| involves and inappropriate immune system | | | | the development of osteoporosis, depression, |
| response, but it affects the body very differently | | | | anxiety, bone and joint pain and fatigue. |
| from the way an allergic reaction does. | | | | |