Symptoms of gluten exposure can vary widely and may include:
- Muscle and Body Aches
- Joint Pain
- Fatigue
- Bloating or Gas
- Nausea or Stomach Cramps
- Constipation or Diarrhea
- Rashes, Acne, or Other Skin Disturbances
- Headaches or Migraines
- Depression or Anxiety
- Brain fog
- Irritability
- Exacerbation of Existing Disease Processes
The severity of symptoms from gluten exposure and the length of time it takes to recover depends on numerous factors, including the amount of gluten exposed to, length of time from last gluten exposure, degree of gluten intolerance, presence of celiac disease, health of the digestive tract, existing inflammation or infection in the body, and overall health status. Some people find that they can recover from gluten exposure within a few days, while others may experience significant setbacks in their health that last weeks to months. For those with celiac disease, it may take years for complete healing of the small intestine after gluten exposure, although outward symptoms may resolve much sooner.
Regardless of what symptoms you experience from gluten exposure, there are some steps that you can take to aid the recovery process:
