Celiac Disease Can Harm Digestion

What are the symptoms?

Celiac disease symptoms may develop at any age once a person begins eating foods with gluten. And the symptoms aren’t always in the digestive system. Long-term or chronic diarrhea and recurrent abdominal pain are common symptoms. But so are irritability and depression.

Other symptoms include:

• Behavior changes

• Bone pain

• Delayed growth

• Failure to thrive, in infants

• Extreme tiredness (fatigue)

• Gas

• Infertility

• Missed menstrual periods

• Muscle cramps

• Pale, bad-smelling stool

• Pale sores inside the mouth

• Pain in joints

• Painful skin rash

• Recurring abdominal bloating

• Seizures

• Tingling numbness in legs

• Tooth discoloration

• Unexplained anemia

• Weight loss

How is celiac diagnosed?

It may be a challenge to diagnose celiac disease because its symptoms are similar to other diseases. Diseases that share symptoms with celiac disease include irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticulosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and depression.

Recent research has found that people with celiac disease have higher than normal levels of certain antibodies. Tests can be given to measure these antibody levels. If the tests and symptoms point to celiac disease, your healthcare provider may confirm the diagnosis with a biopsy of the small intestine to check for villi damage.

Early diagnosis is important. The longer a person goes undiagnosed and untreated, the greater the chance of developing malnutrition and other problems.

First-degree relatives of people with celiac disease should speak with their healthcare provider about getting tested. A first-degree relative is a parent, sibling, or child. The condition is also more common in people with type 1 diabetes and Down syndrome.

How is celiac treated?

Gluten does not harm the bowels of those who don't have celiac disease. But if you have the disease, there’s only 1 treatment: Don't eat any gluten for life.

For most people, following a gluten-free diet will stop the symptoms, heal existing villi damage, and prevent further damage. The improvement begins very soon. It often happens within days of starting the diet. The small intestine is often completely healed, with the villi intact and working normally, in 3 to 6 months. The healing process may take up to 2 years for older adults.

A gluten-free diet bans all foods that contain wheat, rye, or barley. Most grains, pastas, cereals, and many processed foods fall into that category. You can eat breads and pastas made with potato, rice, soy, or bean flour. Gluten-free foods also are available from specialty food manufacturers. Other foods that are fine to include are meat, rice, fruits, and vegetables. Oats are fine as long as they aren’t contaminated with gluten, as some are.

You must be careful about:

• What you buy for lunch at school or work

• What you buy at the grocery store

• What you eat at restaurants or parties

• What you grab for a snack

U.S. law requires that food labels clearly identify wheat and other common food allergens in the list of ingredients. Also check the labels on your medicines, vitamins, and supplements for any gluten. For more information, talk with your healthcare provider or see a nutritionist who knows about celiac disease.