Wheat Allergy

A wheat allergy is one of the most common types of food allergies. Your immune system overreacts to wheat you’ve ingested (eaten or drunk) or inhaled (breathed in). For many people, ingesting wheat is harmless. However, if you have a wheat allergy, your immune system views wheat as a harmful “invader,” like a bacterium or virus.

A wheat allergy can be deadly. If you have severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling in your throat, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room (ER) immediately.

Who does a wheat allergy affect?

Anybody can have a wheat allergy. You’re more likely to develop an allergy if there are allergies in the family.

How common is a wheat allergy?

Studies suggest that between 0.2% and 1.3% of the world population has a wheat allergy.

About 0.4% of children in the U.S. have a wheat allergy.

How does a wheat allergy affect my body?

A wheat allergy causes an allergic reaction in your body. An allergic reaction is your body’s response to an allergen. If you have a wheat allergy, your body may have two different types of reactions:

Immunoglobulin E mediated reaction

If you have a wheat allergy, your body responds by creating immunoglobulin E (IgE) when you eat wheat. IgE is an antibody that your immune system makes. Your body makes many different types of IgE, which are sensitive to specific kinds of allergens.

IgE reactions happen quickly after ingesting or inhaling wheat. They usually occur within minutes, but they may occur up to four hours later. Reactions may include anaphylaxis, which is a severe allergic reaction that may cause death.

Non-immunoglobulin E mediated reaction

Non-IgE reactions involve your immune system, but not your IgE antibodies. Your allergic reaction to wheat is slower than an IgE-mediated reaction. It may take up to 48 hours to develop.

Reactions may include eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) or eosinophilic gastritis (EG). EoE causes inflammation in your esophagus, which is the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach. EG causes inflammation in your stomach lining.

Symptoms

When to see a doctor

Request an appointment

Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.

The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:

High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Heart failure.
Some types of heart valve disease.

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce and manage stress.

By Freedmans Health Clinic Staff

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