An autoimmune disorder that can profoundly affect your small intestine is celiac disease. The small intestine is a site at which all food ingredients are absorbed. Absorption is done by villi: which is a small finger-like projection that helps in the absorption of all food particles. This is by increasing the surface area of the small intestine lining. What initiates this disease is gluten. Gluten is a protein present in wheat, and rye. So you may ask about the importance of grain in celiac disorder.
What happens if a celiac eats gluten? Gluten is an agent that stimulates an immune reaction in the small intestine. It causes pain in the stomach, diarrhea, swollen bellies, gas, and bloating. Some uncommon and uncontrolled eating of gluten may cause depression, insomnia, fog in the brain, and serious skin issues like dermatitis herpetiformis. There is no cure except a gluten-free diet.
In America, almost 1% of the population suffers from celiac disease. In the last fifty years, the cases of this disease have increased 4 times. What is this disease, what are its causes, and what is its treatment? We discuss all these in detail. Let’s start.
What Happens If Celiacs Eat Gluten
Somebody that suffers from celiac disorder has a reaction when eating food that contains gluten. Gluten is a type of protein that initiates the immune reaction in the small intestine. This reaction is very severe and different persons may have different symptoms:
- Diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Swollen belly
- Fatigue
- Bloating and anemia
All the above symptoms occur due to an injured lining of the small intestine. This decreased the penetration of valuable nutrients in the food by the small intestine.
In medical terms, it is an autoimmune reaction. This reaction starts when a person with celiac disease ingests gluten. If a person does not understand his condition gradually his small intestine becomes affected. Its lining refuses to absorb nutrients that are utmost necessary for health.
The only solution is to avoid food items that contain gluten protein such as wheat, barley, oat, and rye.
What To Do If Celiac Eats Gluten
A normal person never thinks or sees the label on the ingredients of food items but celiac is always alert. In all big grocery stores, a gluten-free diet is available. But sometimes a person accidentally takes gluten in their diet. Here we introduce a few steps for recovery.
Rest Is Best
If some gluten enters by mistake, take some rest. Never blame yourself and avoid stress. Stress is your enemy. To compensate for your error, take off from school or your job.
Stay hydrated
Intake of water saves you from loss of water and keeps you fresh and healthy after diarrhea. This water and electrolytes keep the osmotic balance in your body. Coconut water and broth are excellent for this.
Make an appointment with your doctor or nutritionist
Consult your doctor and share your problem. His advice will benefit you. Light exercise and walking in open areas reduce stress and depression.
What Happens If A Celiac Eats Gluten By Mistake
A person with celiac disease should always care about the diet he takes. If by mistake he eats food that contains gluten even in traces, it can upset his stomach. Sometimes symptoms of celiac do not appear immediately as occur in wheat allergy. It may take a few hours to a few days.
The healing process can take 3 to 4 days. If the villi in the small intestine are damaged it may take six months to come in proper form.
What Happens If a Person Has Celiac Disorder In His Family
Do you have a pedigree with Celiac patients? If so you are at risk and this risk will increase if you have close relatives with a celiac patient(brother, sister, or parents). It doesn’t mean you readily give up all gluten-containing diets. But one precaution should have, to share your family history with your doctor. If he advises you to test or biopsy for checking whether you have genes for celiac or not, follow him.
Remember this disease runs in families and causes serious and painful ailments. Sometimes a person has genes for this immune disorder but does not express it in his life but his kids are 10%more susceptible to this.
How Is Celiac Disease Treated
The only cure for celiac disease is to not eat gluten throughout your life. This looks very simple but leaving all food items containing gluten like wheat, oat, and barley means you are deprived of a large group of food products. For this, your dietitian will adjust your food chart and make the best food plan.
If your small intestine healed up it doesn’t mean you start the gluten diet again. Stop eating gluten is the first and the last treatment to remain healthy.
Keto Diet
Recent studies show that the keto diet is most suitable for these patients. The Keto diet contains 5%carbhydrate 25% to 35%protein and 75%fats. This diet not only improves health but is also good for insulin resistance, heart, and obesity.
How To Avoid Cross-contamination
It means if you select a gluten-free diet but during the preparation, some gluten-containing things pollute it, it is cross-contamination. You should avoid this. But how. Very easy; If you wish to eat a gluten-free sandwich you should use your separate toaster, spread, and spoon from other regular members of your family. Also strictly follow these rules.
- When you dine at a restaurant, order gluten-free food.
- If it is difficult to separate your utensils, wash them properly.
- Manage gluten-free food in your hostel or workplace.
- Select gluten-free bakery items which are now available in big stores.
- Hang a list of gluten-free food items that were recommended by your doctor, so that every member of your family should know your best food products.
- Avoid Fried fish and fried chicken because sometimes it is marinated with a beater containing fine wheat, so please confirm first and then taste it.
What Happens If Celiac Eats Gluten All Possible Symptoms
Eaten gluten has some common symptoms in celiac patients like stomach ache, trots, constipation, and reflux
These all signs are not occurring simultaneously but their pattern is predictable.
Here is a description that shows the stepwise manifestation of the disease.
The first sign after taking the gluten-containing food, the patient feels extremely thirsty and his lips become dry. Within a few minutes, he experienced bad reflux.
In two to three hours fatigue attacks him badly and he suffers from insomnia. In the coming days, he will have cramps and diarrhea. This produces weakness and blurry vision with brain fog.
On the third day, he feels better but constipation and joint pain may have created a problem.
Dermatitis Herpetiformis
An unusual and painful skin allergy due to celiac disorder is Dermatitis herpetiformis. It shows high itching and blistering rashes. In this gluten response, the small intestine and skin are equally attacked. This allergy can be seen anywhere on the skin but it mostly occurs on extensor surfaces, like the knee, buttocks, ankles, groin, lower back, and back of the neck.
Check this what happens if celiac eats gluten video to know more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Celiac feel when eating gluten?
This creates pain in the stomach and diarrhea. A person may feel fatigued, blurred vision, and have insomnia. He suffers from nervous disorders like migraine, depression, and fog in the brain.
What happens if a celiac eats gluten while pregnant?
If celiac is left untreated, especially in the case of females it can cause severe problems in fertility. It produces complications in pregnancy. Most gynecologists relate this with miscarriage, low birth weight, preterm labor, and stillbirth with celiac disease.
Some experts also point out the production of antibodies that can damage the placenta.
To Finish
It is important for individuals with celiac disease to strictly adhere to a gluten-free diet to protect their health and prevent the negative consequences of accidental gluten exposure. If a celiac eats gluten, its immune system can react by damaging the small intestine, leading to symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and malnutrition.
In the long term, eating gluten can also increase the risk of developing other health problems such as osteoporosis and certain types of cancer. It is therefore essential for individuals with celiac disease to be vigilant about avoiding gluten in their diet and to seek medical attention if they accidentally consume gluten. By following a gluten-free diet and being aware of the potential consequences of accidental gluten exposure, celiacs can protect their health and well-being.
