Gluten is a protein found in staple grains, such as wheat, barley, rye and most oats, that can trigger digestive problems as well as fatigue, joint pain and autoimmune conditions. Going off gluten is the only way to manage your symptoms and stay healthy if you have celiac disease or are gluten intolerant.

When exposed to infection or injury, your body responds defensively, by unleashing an immune response that results in the release of fluids, antibodies and white blood cells to the affected area.

On a gluten-free diet, wheat, barley and rye are off limits. You may be directed to eat “alternative” grains, such as teff and amaranth, as substitutes. Kamut is not among these alternatives, however, as it is an ancient relative of durum wheat. Cereals, breads and baked goods made with kamut contain gluten.

Claritin, a brand name of loratadine, is an over-the-counter (OTC) medication used for the relief of symptoms of seasonal allergies. It is also used to treat chronic itching of unknown cause. This drug is classified as an antihistamine.

Anyone can develop an allergy at any age, although dairy allergy is most often diagnosed in children under age 3. Dairy allergy is different from lactose intolerance. Adults can have both lactose intolerance and dairy allergy, which could be one reason why some people confuse the two.

Many patients I see come in complaining of skin irritation or a rash. My first question is: what kind of detergent do you use? My follow-up question is: do you use fabric softener? I even ask if they send their clothes off for dry cleaning.

Individuals who cannot tolerate gluten, the protein found in wheat and other grains, must choose gluten-free grains and starches. This becomes more challenging when consuming a cuisine that is rich in starch-based food items. However, there are many delicious, gluten-free Indian dishes.

A torn ligament can be a debilitating injury that keeps you from enjoying your favorite activities for several weeks or months. Recovering from a torn ligament requires patience and diligence to properly support your healing tissue while avoiding further damage.

Winter squash is indigenous to North America and was a staple in Native American diets. According to the World’s Healthiest Foods website, winter squash is grown between August and March, with peak season running during October and November. Winter squash is not commonly an allergenic food.

When you think about wheat allergy symptoms, your scalp probably doesn’t come to mind. However, because a wheat allergy causes an immune system reaction, you can develop eczema, psoriasis, general scalp itching or hives after consuming products that contain wheat.

People who for religious or health reasons need to avoid alcohol often have concerns about hidden alcohol in foods. No foods naturally contain alcohol -- except alcohol -- but some foods have alcohol added, although the amounts are usually very small.

Gluten is a protein found in many different grains as a way for the plant to store protein. The gluten content varies between grains, although the exact gluten content present in these foods is not available in food composition tables. Grains can be divided as containing gluten or not.