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Non-Communicable Diseases

Wheat Allergy

​​Definition:

It is an autoimmune disease that necessitates not consuming foods containing gluten. These foods may lead to damage in the small intestine. Gluten is a protein found in wheat and barley. 
Cause:
The cause of the disease is still unknown; however, a doctor has found a link between the consumption of bread and grains and diarrhea. 
Symptoms:
Symptoms include diarrhea, bad breath, flatulence and bloating, fatigue, headache and peripheral neuropathy, depression, and anxiety.
Diagnosis:
Patients should be tested before being advised to follow a gluten-free diet. An antibodies test should also be performed on them, especially for gluten-carrying antibodies.
As for lab tests:
  1. Electrolyte test.
  2. Blood test
  3. Stool test.
  4. Tolerance test by mouth. 
Risk factors:
  1. Family history where a family member had gastrointestinal disorders or dermatitis.
  2. Type 1 diabetes. 
  3. Down syndrome or Turner syndrome. 
  4. Autoimmune thyroid diseases.
  5. Microscopic colitis.
  6. Addison's disease.
  7. Rheumatoid arthritis. 
Complications:
  1. Malnutrition
  2. Calcium and bone density loss
  3. Infertility and miscarriages
  4. Lactose intolerance
  5. Cancer
  6. Diseases of the nervous system  
Treatment:
  1. Healthy gluten-free diet
  2. Corticosteroids
Prevention:
  1. Gelatin-free food
  2. Eating fruits and vegetables to prevent constipation
  3. Seeing a nutritionist who can advise you on the right food for you. 
Statistics: 
  • Nationally:
  • Prevalence of Wheat allergy among children is 1%.
Globally: 
Wheat allergy is widely spread across the world. For example, its prevalence among the Chinese and Africans in sub-Saharan Africa, reached 5-10%, while in Western Europe it reached about 5-20%, and 5-10% in Britain, Tunisia and Iran. It is also prevalent by 5% among Eastern Europeans, Americans and Asians. Unfortunately, its spread in the world is still on the rise.

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Last Update : 05 January 2021 04:04 PM
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