Common celiac disease symptoms
November 13 clarification: autoimmune disease and testing
Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition triggered by gluten, not simply a food allergy. The supplied newsletter used the phrase allergic reaction; the Tamil explanation below has been corrected to avoid that confusion. Damage to the small-intestinal lining reduces nutrient absorption. Symptoms vary, and having few or no symptoms does not prove that the bowel is undamaged.
If coeliac disease is suspected but not diagnosed, speak to your doctor before starting a gluten-free diet: removing gluten can make diagnostic tests less accurate. If you already avoid gluten, discuss the next steps with your clinician rather than restarting it on your own. This does not tell someone with a confirmed diagnosis to eat gluten. Confirmed coeliac disease requires a strict lifelong gluten-free diet and follow-up, even when symptoms improve; a dietitian can help with a balanced diet. Symptoms alone cannot diagnose the condition.
Gas has been restored to the digestive-symptom list in both languages; it was in the supplied source but missing from that first list. The later list of symptoms after gluten exposure already included it. Original publication dates, photos and the other source topics are retained. This is general information, not an individual diagnosis or treatment plan.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that mainly targets the gastrointestinal tract. In people with celiac disease, eating gluten - a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley - sets off an immune reaction. Over time, these repeated reactions inflame and damage tiny structures on the surface of the small intestine.
Left unmanaged, celiac disease can cause uncomfortable digestive symptoms along with problems elsewhere in the body. Some symptoms come from intestinal inflammation; others stem from nutrient deficiencies, because the damaged small intestine cannot absorb nutrients from food properly.
Celiac symptoms vary so widely that there is no such thing as a typical case. Some people have mild symptoms or none at all, which can delay diagnosis.
Digestive symptoms
Digestive symptoms are more common in children than in adults, and children generally develop them only after gluten-containing foods enter their diet.
Digestive symptoms of celiac disease may include:
Bloating
Diarrhea
Constipation
Gas
Lactose intolerance
Loose, greasy, bulky, foul-smelling stools
Nausea or vomiting
Abdominal pain.
Non-digestive symptoms
Some people with celiac disease develop symptoms in other parts of the body. Problems tied to celiac disease or to poor nutrient absorption include:
Bone or joint pain
Iron-deficiency anemia
Weight loss
Arthritis
Fatigue
Bone loss
Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
Dermatitis herpetiformis (a skin condition marked by intensely itchy bumps or blisters)
Depression, irritability, or mood changes
Delayed or missed menstrual periods
Infertility or repeated miscarriages
Mouth problems such as canker sores
Liver disease.
How soon after eating gluten can symptoms start?
It varies from person to person. Some people react within two to three hours of eating gluten; others feel nothing until the next day or a few days later - and some never notice a reaction at all.
Common symptoms after gluten exposure include:
Nausea
Vomiting (very severe in some cases)
Gas and bloating
Cramps
Abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Constipation
Tiredness
Brain fog
Muscle and joint pain.
Diagnosis and treatment
Celiac disease should never be self-diagnosed. If you suspect it in yourself or your child, see a doctor.
Treatment centers on removing gluten from the diet, which should be done in consultation with a doctor. Once a person goes gluten-free, symptoms typically improve and may disappear entirely. Even small amounts of gluten, though, can cause symptoms to flare.
