The average human takes between 14 and 20 breaths per minute. But if you are conscious of those breaths, that’s a problem. Perhaps you’re experiencing chest tightness, clogged sinuses or a nagging cough that make you very aware of every breath you take. If so, the ingestion of gluten may be a contributing factor to these respiratory issues.
Today Nadine explores the relationship between the lungs and celiac disease, offering anecdotal evidence as well as explaining the way that inflammation can lead to a number of respiratory problems. Because 70-90% of your immune system is housed in your intestines, it is no surprise that a leaky gut could make you more vulnerable to respiratory tract infections.
Despite the fact that current literature considers respiratory challenges to be an atypical presentation of celiac disease, the Gluten Free RN argues that there is enough anecdotal evidence to merit further study. Listen in to understand the vitamin deficiencies that likely contribute to respiratory issues, how those health concerns might be corrected by going gluten-free, and why your body heals more quickly on a high fat, whole food diet. It’s time to go gluten-free and breathe easy again!
What’s Discussed:
How gluten ingestion likely affects the respiratory system
- Body keeps fluids separate unless tissues leaky
- Gluten alters epithelial tissue, including that of lungs
Nadine’s anecdotal evidence of a connection between gluten and respiratory issues
- Fellow nurse had lung removed as child
- Always needed inhalers
- Went gluten-free with Nadine
- Inflammation in lungs cleared, asthma gone
- No longer needed inhalers
Respiratory issues that may be corrected on a gluten-free diet
- Anemia (lack of red blood cells to carry oxygen causes shortness of breath with minimal exertion)
- Recurrent respiratory infections
- Cystic fibrosis
- COPD
- IPH (bleeding lung)
- Pulmonary edema
Vitamin deficiencies caused by gluten ingestion that lead to respiratory problems
- Vitamin K deficiencies initiate easy bruising, nose bleeds and bleeding lung
Why going gluten-free eliminates many respiratory issues
- Gluten causes inflammation (-itis = inflammation)
- Removing the cause heals intestines, repairs immune system
- Patients operate on a higher level
Common symptoms of respiratory issues
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest tightness
- Nagging cough
- Clogged sinuses
- Post-nasal drip
Nadine’s recommendations around diet and nutrition
- Gluten- and dairy-free at a minimum
- Ideally variation of Paleo diet
- Whole foods (meat, fish, eggs, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds)
- High fat (body needs to absorb fat-soluble nutrients – A, D, E & K)
- Maintain Gluten Zero (takes six months to a year for intestinal villi to heal)
Why your body heals more quickly on a high fat, whole food diet
- Body knows how to break down, utilize nutrients
- Fat-soluble vitamins repair connective tissue, leaky gut
The genes that indicate a predisposition for celiac disease
- HLA-DQ2
- HLA-DQ8
Resources:
“Respiratory Symptoms as Atypical Manifestation of Celiac Disease” in the Pediatric Oncall Journal
“Pneumococcal Septic Shock in the Setting of Hyposplenic Celiac Disease” in Hospital Physician
Coeliac Australia: Associated Conditions
Connect with Nadine:
‘Your Skin on Gluten’ on YouTube
Melodies of the Danube Gluten-Free Cruise with Nadine
Books by Nadine:
Dough Nation: A Nurse’s Memoir of Celiac Disease from Missed Diagnosis to Food and Health Activism
I am 78 years old. Over the last 10 years have had problems with one lung. Coughing thick mucus which won’t clear up. Had 3 antibiotics for 11 mths!! Also sensitive to any new medications that causes another cough. Have shadow on lung. After Ciproxine still coughing. My research now points to Gluten although I do not have the common symptoms of it. Dr told me I was in contact with TB when young and caused damage and shadow on lung!!! Now I believe it’s gluten intolerance. What do you think? Anything would be greatly appreciated.
It certainly could be celiac disease. Has your doctor properly tested you yet? Have you had the genetic testing for DQ2/DQ8?
I do have middle lobe syndrome.
Is this still affected by
Gluten???
I have bronchiectasis and am wondering if there could be a connection with gluten/celiac disease/allergies. Lately it seems that I’m sensitive to the “outside” (which I just hate!) and I definitely react to being out of doors…
I know this is simply not natural.
Kitty, Yes, of course there can be a connection. Have you been tested for Celiac Disease? NCGS? Please let me know if you need help finding a practitioner to test you correctly. Nadine
Kitty, see my post below. I hope you’re doing well, and I’d love to hear an update about your condition.
I was tested for celiac around 10 years ago and found I was intolerant to gluten. I was on GF diet and eventually went off because I was feeling healed. For a couple years I have been dealing with inflammation around my lungs which going to a chiropractor help alleviate. However, I was dealing with extreme phlegm and runny nose for over a year. My doctor said it was acid reflux and medicated me with pantoprazole. It didn’t seem to work. I went back on GF diet (12 days now) and happy to report the phlegm has improved and nasal drip. My nails also are stronger. However, the inflammation around lungs is back. Any recommendations?
I found this a very interesting read! I’ve suffered from tummy issues, headaches, sinus problems for years with no explanation!! Drs either said Ibs, sinus infection or migraines!
I investigated things myself on line as I believed food had a role to play! I went gluten free only to find my symptoms disappeared
If I accidentally eat gluten I do suffer in one way or another!! I’ve recently noticed that I get breathless, or struggle to take a deep breath if I’ve gone off plan & ingested gluten so thought I’d look to see if there was a connection, I stumbled on your article and I’m now totally convinced about the connection
Many thanks for highlighting this issue
Kind regards Debbie
Nadine,
I am a health professional myself and was diagnosed with celiac 10 years ago. The doctors keep telling me that my presentation / reaction to gluten is not possible. I have immediate respiratory reactions where I get chest tightness, difficulty breathing , swelling in my whole body but most noticeable in my knuckles . I can’t tolerate any cross contamination at all. I carry an epi-pen , liquid Benadryl and prednisone. I have had several visits to the ER. My reactions have now progressed to lip and tongue swelling as well. The allergy and immunology doctor does not know what it is because all of my skin tests are negative . I don’t know where to turn to next. Any information would be appreciated .
Kerry,
Sorry for the long delay in answering. How are you now? I am not surprised that your skin tests were negative. Have you intestines healed in the last year? How about your lungs?
I was diagnosed with celiac through an endoscopy 12/19, at first I was pretty good with gluten free diet. I also suffered from constipation. My doctor’s assistant suggested that I try Miralax and that has been my daily go to for that problem. Lately I’ve had sinus drainage coupled with nagging cough leaving me breathless and my voice seems and feels strained. I haven’t been totally gluten free and while talking to my daughter, who is gluten free, she said Mom have you been eating gluten and of course I had. I then went online to see if this sinus drainage and short of breath and saw very clearly that the body can react to gluten by creating mucus and also that your through can swell effecting your voice and also the cough I get where I can’t get my breath. Can you verify what I’ve found?
Yes, I can verify what you have found as true.
I am 63 years old ,and have had multiple joint replacements . I have always been anemic even as a small child . I have had problems with acid reflux for 22+ years . For the last 11 years I have developed a cough that will not go away . I have drainage from my sinuses , this has been going on for the last few weeks , I get SOB , cough do violently thst I have actually pulled muscles . I have been trying the test regarding gluten . It seems that the days that I eat bread , pasta ,etc I start coughing about a hour after I eat . It is so bad that most nights I set up in a recliner and try to sleep because when I lay flat the coughing is worse . I really need some answers . What kind of testing would you recommend. I did have a upper and lower GI last year and the Doctor biopsied for celiac disease. Which was negative. Any info you could share would really help !
Did your doctor run a celiac antibody test and do a celiac genetic test for you?
Thank you for this!!
Hi Nadine, I was just diagnosed with Celiac disease 2 weeks ago. I have been on a Gluten free diet for the last 9 days(check all labels, eating fruit and veggies}I actually feel worse since being on diet and I am experiencing shortness of breath, chest discomfort and fatigue. I even have gone to ER twice in 2 days with these symptoms and they told me I have no blockages and all lab work and X-rays came back good. I dont know is this Celiac?What do I do? I am so scared and frustrated, sleeping has been awful. Thanks, Mike Tressa
Mike,
I am glad we are working together to improve your overall health!
I was diagnosed with bronchiectasis two years ago, and have had two positive MAC bacterium tests, which probably caused the bronchiectasis. About eight months ago, I went gluten-free and noticed a definite decrease in lung congestion, coughing and wheezing. The strange thing was that I soon began to notice that in addition to the gluten, any kind of rice product also brought my wheezing and coughing back, so I also removed all rice from my diet. The difference was remarkable…. only a very faint wheeze, and no morning cough, and I didn’t get my usual winter pneumonia at all. While I’m still discouraged about the MAC, and can see no answer to THAT problem except a year-long program of harsh antibiotics, I feel like I can keep my bronchiectasis under control with these dietary changes. When I tell my pulmonologist about the dietary changes and the shift, she looks at me as if I have three heads. There’s also nothing much online about the connection. Ah well…
I have been celiac all my life very very sick at times. Diagnosed in my fifties. Full Gluten free and lactose free diet has helped but suffer from asthma serve ritinis and have an asthmatic hack. Dont know what else to do or take. On pain meds for back problems due to not being able to absorb vits and mins over all these years. Back has serious deterioration. I would love to try more of the allergy treatments but have to pay full price. Quality of life would be vastly improved if the severe hayfever reactions could be controlled.