What is the difference between celiac disease, gluten intolerance, and wheat or gluten allergy?
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease. Gluten causes a reaction that triggers the body to attack itself, specifically, the lining of the intestines. If you have a gluten or wheat allergy, the body launches an exaggerated response to the gluten or other wheat (cereal) proteins, but the damage to the small intestine is mild. Some symptoms of celiac disease and gluten or wheat allergy are the same, but often times an allergy will result in immediate, life-threatening symptoms, such as swelling and hives. Patients who have been told that they have an allergy by their physician should consult with an allergist. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease. Gluten causes a reaction that triggers the body to attack itself, specifically, the lining of the intestines. If you have a gluten or wheat allergy, the body launches an exaggerated response to the gluten or other wheat (cereal) proteins, but the damage to the small intestine is mild. Some symptoms of celiac disease and gluten or wheat aller
