Villi flattened so particles of food cannot be absorbed and digested.

      The coeliac condition is a puzzling one to diagnose as the patient seems to eat well but not to thrive. In the case of the coeliac child, there can be failure to grow, and the more the child eats the worse the condition becomes as more gluten is consumed. But there is good news: without gluten in the diet, the damaged lining of the small intestine is able to grow back the villi and brush border. Once the function is restored, health and vitality can be regained and children can grow again.

      Some coeliacs with less severe symptoms can remain undiagnosed for years and continually suffer and recover. Common diagnoses for this are a ‘digestive disorder’, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), allergy or, worse still, ‘imagination’. When eventually diagnosed, it is sometimes called ‘silent coeliac disease’.

      gluten allergy

      The symptoms for food allergy/intolerance/sensitivity are many and varied. They have little or no connection with the coeliac (celiac) condition. An allergy, intolerance or sensitivity to gluten may manifest itself in one or more symptoms. It is difficult to be specific about what is causing the symptoms as they can also be caused by other factors. There is now a detection kit available from pharmacies. Consult the qualified pharmacist for advice. People with persistent symptoms should consult their medical practitioner and not try to diagnose and treat themselves.

      physical symptoms

      head

      Feeling dizzy or faint, headaches, migraine, heavy feeling.

      eyes

      Watery, itchy, red, swollen, tired, sore, blurred vision, heavy feeling in eyelids.

      nose

      Runny nose, sneezing, itching, burning, excessive mucus, blocked nose, sinusitis.

      ears

      Ringing in the ears, soreness, loss of hearing, earache, burning sensations, itching.

      throat and mouth

      Soreness,