What is the Difference Between Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity?

Celiac disease and gluten sensitivity, also known as non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), share some similarities but have distinct differences. Here are the key differences between the two:

1. Nature of the condition: Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder, while gluten sensitivity is a sensitivity or a digestive disorder.
2. Immune system involvement: In celiac disease, the immune system attacks its own body's tissue when gluten is consumed, leading to damage in the small intestine. In gluten sensitivity, the immune system is not involved, and the body merely experiences short-term discomfort after consuming gluten.
3. Severity: Celiac disease is generally considered more severe than gluten sensitivity, as it can lead to serious nutritional deficiencies and other complications. Gluten sensitivity does not typically have the same long-term negative impact on overall health.
4. Symptoms: Both conditions can cause symptoms such as abdominal cramping, bloating, and diarrhea. However, gluten sensitivity may also cause extraintestinal or non-GI symptoms like headaches, brain fog, joint pain, and numbness in the legs, arms, or fingers.
5. Diagnosis: Diagnosing celiac disease usually involves blood tests, genetic tests, and endoscopy. Gluten sensitivity is often diagnosed after ruling out celiac disease and wheat allergies, and confirming a response to a gluten-free diet.
6. Treatment: Both celiac disease and gluten sensitivity are treated by following a gluten-free diet. Individuals with celiac disease must avoid gluten completely for their entire life, while those with gluten sensitivity may experience symptom improvement by simply reducing gluten and carbohydrate intake.

In summary, celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that can lead to severe health complications, while gluten sensitivity involves milder symptoms and is not an immune system disorder. Proper diagnosis is essential for each condition to ensure appropriate treatment and management.

Comparative Table: Celiac Disease vs Gluten Sensitivity

Here is a table comparing the differences between celiac disease and gluten sensitivity:

In summary, celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder where consuming gluten causes the immune system to attack the small intestine, leading to long-term complications. On the other hand, gluten sensitivity is a non-autoimmune condition where the body has a negative response to gluten, causing short-term discomfort but no permanent damage to the intestine.