Awareness of celiac disease, wheat allergies, and gluten intolerance has significantly increased over the last decade or so. Symptoms related to gluten intolerance were long seen as over exaggerations of mild discomfort that everyone experiences from time to time, such as brain fog, fatigue, and stomach upset. Recent research has led to a greater understanding, and thus far more diagnoses of gluten intolerance-related diseases like celiac disease.

Do you suspect that you may have celiac disease or another type of gluten intolerance? Schedule a consultation with Dr. Chanu Dasari, a top Las Vegas gluten sensitivity specialist. He can evaluate your symptoms and recommend the best treatment plan for you.

Gluten is a storage protein naturally found in cereal grains such as wheat, rye, and barley. It is the compound responsible for the soft, elastic texture of baked foods, and also helps leaven and maintain the moisture in grain-based foods like bread and pasta. Because of these desirable culinary properties, it is also used as an additive in processed foods to improve the product’s texture and moisture.

Many people who have gluten intolerance may not be aware of it, as the symptoms can resemble those of many other conditions. People who experience these symptoms often brush them off as regular, nonmedical ailments. You may be suffering from gluten intolerance if you frequently experience:

• Brain fog
• Fatigue
• Joint pain
• Headaches
• Bloating
• Digestive problems
• Skin problems
• Depression and anxiety

Though this list contains many items that are seemingly unrelated, suffering from a slew of these symptoms may actually point to gluten intolerance.

The first thing your doctor will want to test for if you suspect that you have gluten intolerance is celiac disease.​This is an autoimmune disease that leads to damage in the lining of the small intestine when gluten is ingested. A blood test is typically required for this diagnosis. Your doctor may also want to perform an endoscopy to analyze the lining of your small intestine for any abnormalities.

Celiac disease isn’t the only form of gluten intolerance, though it is perhaps the most well-documented. ​Gluten sensitivity ​could be the next diagnosis that you explore, though there are few proven methods of conclusively testing for this. Your doctor may analyze your blood test results and look for a positive ​AGA-IgG blood test​, which indicates the presence of gluten antibodies and points to gluten sensitivity. They may also simply recommend that you adopt a gluten-free diet and monitor how it affects you. If you feel better, then you can safely say that you have gluten intolerance.