What are Symptoms of Non-Celiac Gluten Intolerance?

Do you feel sick no matter what you eat? It’s as though your GI tract can’t handle anything. You feel bad when you eat at home, and you feel bad when you go out. You may even notice that you’ve lost some weight. Perhaps you dread sitting down to a meal. If this is your experience, then you’re most likely suffering from a food intolerance. Food intolerances can vary in severity and cause.

Some people are intolerant to dairy, while others might react adversely to caffeine. But no matter the cause, food intolerances will cause noticeable discomfort if you continue eating triggering foods. One of the most common food intolerances is triggered by gluten.

Some people have an autoimmune response to gluten, known as celiac disease. Others have symptoms of non-celiac gluten intolerance. If you notice uncomfortable symptoms, especially after eating a meal involving wheat, then you’ll want to work with a nutritionist or functional medicine doctor. Your doctor will assist you in monitoring your diet, finding healthy alternative meals, and reducing the effects of symptoms.

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Symptoms of Non-Celiac Gluten Intolerance

Gluten intolerances cause discomfort in the gut: the complex ecosystem of bacteria, cells, and tissues running from your esophagus to your large intestine. You’ll likely experience digestive issues when you consume gluten, but you might also experience symptoms related to mental clarity. That’s because the gut is considered the body’s “second brain,” containing millions of nerve receptors that can trigger different reactions in the primary brain. Do you experience any of these symptoms? If you do, then you may be suffering from non-celiac gluten intolerance.

1. Bloating and Gas

Feeling overly full after eating is a common side effect of non-celiac gluten intolerance. You might even have gas, which is not only uncomfortable, but also embarrassing. Bloating and gas happen because your gut isn’t able to digest gluten, and the inflamed gut lining swells and leads to excess gas.

2. Stomach Pain

A gluten intolerance will most likely damage your digestive tract. Therefore, stomach pain after eating gluten is extremely common.

3. Diarrhea or Constipation

Those with severe gluten intolerances may spend long periods of time on the toilet—or find themselves unable to go. These symptoms come down to damaged intestinal linings that are unable to digest food properly. Sometimes these symptoms can happen hours after the meal, so don’t dismiss diarrhea or constipation as a case of food poisoning.

4. Iron Deficiency

When the gut becomes inflamed or damaged, it loses its ability to absorb nutrients. While people with non-celiac gluten intolerances can be deficient in many nutrients, iron deficiency seems to be particularly common. If you crave chewing ice or notice hair loss, you might have anemia.

5. Fatigue and Brain Fog

All inflammation and allergies take a toll on the body. Plus, a damaged gut can send mixed signals to the brain. Many people dealing with non-celiac gluten intolerance complain of fatigue and brain fog.

6. Headaches

Like fatigue, headaches are a common symptom of non-celiac gluten intolerance. A damaged gut can send conflicting neural signals to the brain and cause headaches.

7. Depression and Anxiety

People develop depression and anxiety for many reasons, including chronic discomfort. If you constantly deal with unexplained pain from an undiagnosed gluten intolerance, then your quality of life will decrease. Your gut also holds a large percentage of serotonin receptors, a major contributor to emotions and mood.

8. Joint and Muscle Pain

The body’s inflammatory response can activate throughout the entire body even if the trigger is related to a gluten intolerance. Pay attention to when you feel most achy or stiff. Is it after eating wheat?

9. Leg or Arm Numbness

In rare cases, non-celiac gluten intolerances can lead to leg or arm numbness. If this happens, call a doctor right away as it may be a symptom of a more serious condition.

How to Reduce Symptoms of Non-Celiac Gluten Intolerance

After discovering that you have a gluten intolerance, the best course of action is to remove gluten from your diet. However, it’s unlikely that you’ll go your entire life without ingesting gluten again. Many people eat gluten by accident when eating out.

Here are a few suggested tips for reducing symptoms of non-celiac gluten intolerance: