Everything You Need to Know About Gluten Intolerance in Children

Gluten intolerance is a condition in which the body is unable to digest gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. When someone with gluten intolerance eats gluten, their immune system attacks the small intestine, causing damage to the villi, which are small finger-like projections that line the intestine and help to absorb nutrients. This damage can lead to a variety of symptoms, including:

• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Gas
• Bloating
• Abdominal pain
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Iron deficiency anemia
• Vitamin B12 deficiency
• Skin rashes
• Headaches
• Mood swings

Gluten intolerance can be caused by two different conditions: celiac disease and non-celiac gluten intolerance.

• Celiac disease is an autoimmune disFree Download in which the body's immune system attacks the small intestine when gluten is eaten. Celiac disease is a serious condition that can lead to permanent damage to the small intestine if it is not treated.
• Non-celiac gluten intolerance is a condition in which people experience symptoms of gluten intolerance, but they do not have celiac disease. The cause of non-celiac gluten intolerance is not fully understood, but it is thought to be related to an immune reaction to gluten.

Gluten intolerance is diagnosed through a combination of blood tests and a biopsy of the small intestine.

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• Blood tests can check for antibodies that are produced by the immune system in response to gluten. These antibodies can be a sign of celiac disease or non-celiac gluten intolerance.
• A biopsy of the small intestine can show damage to the villi that is caused by gluten intolerance.

The only treatment for gluten intolerance is to follow a gluten-free diet. This means avoiding all foods that contain gluten, including wheat, rye, and barley. Gluten-free foods include:

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Meat
• Fish
• Poultry
• Dairy products
• Rice
• Potatoes
• Corn
• Quinoa
• Amaranth
• Buckwheat

There are many gluten-free products available in stores, and it is also possible to make your own gluten-free foods at home.

If gluten intolerance is not treated, it can lead to a number of long-term health problems, including:

• Malnutrition
• Growth retardation
• Iron deficiency anemia
• Vitamin B12 deficiency
• Osteoporosis
• Infertility
• Autoimmune disFree Downloads

If your child has been diagnosed with gluten intolerance, there are a few things you can do to help them:

• Make sure that your child follows a gluten-free diet. This is the most important thing you can do to help your child manage their gluten intolerance.
• Talk to your child's doctor about supplements. Your child may need to take supplements to make up for the nutrients that they are not getting from their diet.
• Be supportive. Gluten intolerance can be a challenging condition to manage, but it is important to be supportive of your child and help them to stay on track with their diet.

Gluten intolerance is a common problem in children, but it can be managed with a gluten-free diet. If you think that your child may have gluten intolerance, talk to your doctor. Early diagnosis and treatment is important to prevent long-term health problems.

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