Gluten Ataxia:
Gluten Sensitivity Or A Celiac Diagnosis
Can Be Further Diagnosed
As Gluten Ataxia
Every individual with gluten ataxia is usually diagnosed with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity first. When attending a celiac support group, this small sub-set of patients is usually surprised because all these people look and act normal... Any patient diagnosed with this condition first has to hope the day of an accurate diagnosis does arrive. Most doctors have never even heard of this condition. Of the knowledgeable few having heard of it - many of these few have no idea how to treat it. What Is Gluten AtaxiaGluten ataxia, quite simply, is a disease of the brain. Common to many patients diagnosed with celiac disease, a celiac condition normally affects the digestive system of the human body. Diarrhea, stomach cramps, bloating and nausea keep a celiac sufferer generally very close to bathroom facilities before diagnosis and treatment.The gluten protein also exerts a whole host of new and different symptoms with the ataxic patient. Common complaints are: - mental confusion and disorientation
- sense of balance worsens with time, extreme dizziness, stumbling and falling over actually leads this patient into a wheelchair for safety
- "swimming objects" when focusing with the eyes - light flashes and movable objects (which are not moving) become normal in the line of vision
- temporary paralysis in the throat and air passageways make swallowing and breathing difficult to impossible
As this disease progresses, the patient often loses all hope of living an independent life on their own.  
Finding A DiagnosisConfusion is rampant in regards to this condition. Common knowledge states that celiac disease is a malfunctioning of the digestive system. But up to 15% of diagnosed celiacs do also have symptoms of a neurological disorder. Any patient diagnosed with gluten sensitivity, not just a celiac diagnosis, can display the symptoms of ataxia. Diagnosing though is more a lesson in the process of elimination. Ruling out other conditions seems to be the general procedure because there is no exact test available to confirm this condition. Any patient showing the signs of a neurological disorder and is also showing possible gluten sensitivities, this situation needs to be discussed and researched further even if there is no digestive symptoms noticeable. Ataxia symptoms do become stronger with time and more frequent. Unfortunately, the damage to your brain (the cerebellum) is a continuous spiral with little hope for a full recovery. The brain cells in the cerebellum have little chance of rejuvenating powers so very little healing is anticipated over time. This patient's major hope for the future is the physical and mental re-training necessary with the aid of a physical therapist, occupational therapist and a complete avoidance of any and all gluten in the daily diet.
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*Disclaimer*
This site is not intended to replace the advice and supervision of your professional medical treatment plan. Although all of the information is true and accurate to the best of our knowledge, we still recommend you carefully check all food labels before consuming any food product. We can not assume any legal responsibility for any illness obtained while following the advice contained on this site.
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