Imagine living with decades of high blood pressure, an unsettling burning sensation in your tongue every time you ate, frequent cold sores on your lips, and significant gaps in your memory. All of which are seemingly unrelated problems, that even doctors struggle to understand. Well, that was my life before I discovered the root cause: gluten.
Thousands of Symptoms, One Cause: Gluten
To say that the range of symptoms resulting from a reaction to gluten is extensive can be an understatement. Gluten, referring to the indigestible proteins originating in wheat, barley, and rye, sets off numerous health problems. If you’ve never experienced any of these, the extensive list can feel overwhelming. Unfortunately, even if you find yourself grappling with these health issues, identifying gluten as the perpetrator can be like trying to find a needle in a haystack.
In my personal journey, I never imagined that my deteriorating health stemmed from a single source: gluten. It all became clearer as I started connecting the dots between my diet and the chronic inflammation affecting my immune system.
The Sneaky Culprit: My Persistent Rash
For several years, I was suffering from an unidentified rash on my chest. Dermatologists would prescribe me countless creams to ease my discomfort, but no one ever bothered to question the real cause. It was only when my surgeon was about to perform a procedure on me that I realized the severity of this persistent rash. Little did we both know that it was a forewarning of my impending medical complications.
Gluten’s Wrath: An Overview of Symptoms
Due to its widespread implications, it is useful to understand some of the symptoms associated with gluten. These can include digestive discomforts, joint pain, nutrient deficiencies, depression, skin rashes, headaches, memory problems, fatigue, eczema, infertility, nerve damage, weight loss, and cold sores.
Moreover, the National Institutes of Health has reported a correlation between celiac (the autoimmune response to gluten) and diseases such as type 1 diabetes, autoimmune thyroid disease, autoimmune liver disease, rheumatoid arthritis, Addison’s disease (which damages hormonal glands), and Sjögren’s syndrome (a condition that destroys the glands producing tears and saliva).
Why Gluten Causes such Havoc
The reason gluten has such a disastrous impact on our bodies is because it essentially turns our immune system against us. The immune system then begins attacking the body’s own structures, causing inflammation everywhere. This self-inflicted damage varies from person to person and can manifest in a vast array of symptoms.
Important Points To Remember About Gluten
- Continuous consumption of gluten, despite having celiac disease, can seriously damage the small intestine and restrict nutrient absorption.
- Celiac damage can cause health problems such as anemia, osteoporosis, osteopenia, and even cancer.
- Even if your symptoms aren’t causing extreme discomfort, it can still lead to life-threatening complications.
- Celiac disease has been proven to be hereditary. If a family member has the condition, the risk increases exponentially for you.
- The primary (and only) treatment for celiac disease and gluten sensitivity is to maintain a gluten-free diet for the rest of your life.
My Journey to a Gluten-Free Future
It’s been more than six years since I started my gluten-free diet. Portions of my body and brain are still recovering from the damage caused by celiac disease. However, by being diligent in maintaining a gluten-free lifestyle, I have derived numerous benefits, primarily in my blood pressure. Throughout my life, I have suffered from high blood pressure and depended on various medications to maintain it. Now, as I continue aging, my blood pressure has finally dropped due to my decision to give up gluten.
