Gluten Allergy
Gluten allergy, also known as
coeliac disease, is an inappropriate T-cell-mediated
immune response against ingested gluten: in genetically predisposed people the intestinal tract produces an enzyme that attacks the villi in the small intestine and restricts them from absorbing nutrients.
Symptoms of gluten allergy are
vomiting,
diarrhoea, severe weight loss, chronic fatigue, bloating, anaemia and mouth ulcers.
There is no cure for coeliac disease: once diagnosed,
a gluten free diet must be followed for life to avoid damaging the intestinal system permanently.