Celiac Disease Symptoms

Celiac disease is a disorder of the small intestine that usually occurs in people who are genetically predisposed, regardless of their ages. The Celiac disease symptoms include fatigue, chronic diarrhea and in case of children, failure to thrive. In a person’s life, the disease can appear anytime. Usually the disease is triggered in adults after surgery, emotional stress, viral infection or pregnancy.
For young children, toddlers and infants CD often exhibits vomiting, failure in growth and behavioral changes. There are multiple symptoms for Celiac disease that may not necessarily be gastrointestinal (GI).

Gluten free diet is the only effective treatment for Celiac disease. Although thus disease is caused due to reaction of wheat proteins, it is different than wheat allergy. Celiac disease is an acute digestive disorder in which small intestines are damaged and is caused by allergic reaction to gluten. Gluten is protein present in barley, wheat and oats. The Celiac disease can be diagnosed by conducting blood tests.


Some Classic Symptoms of Celiac Disease
Intestinal gas, abdominal cramping
Stomach bloating
Constipation or chronic diarrhea
Anemia- due to iron deficiency or folic acid
Either weight gain or unexplained loss of weight with large appetite


Other Celiac Disease Symptoms
Dental defects
Joint or bone pain
Weakness or Fatigue
Male/Female Infertility
Mouth ulcers
Depression
Late puberty
Headaches and migraine
Numbness in feet or hands

Untreated Celiac Disease Can Lead to Severe Long Term Conditions

Anemia- Iron deficiency
Risk of hemorrhaging due to deficiency of Vitamin K
Mineral and vitamin deficiencies
Nutrient deficiencies- Nervous system disorders
Pancreatic insufficiencies
Gastrointestinal cancers
Malfunction of gall bladder
Neurological disorders

Gluten free diet for children with celiac disease can result in proper treatment and resumption in growth. Adults with celiac disease have higher risk of developing cancers of esophagus and lymph glands in the small intestines. If a person fails to respond to the gluten free diet, the major reason behind it being the failure to stick to the diet. The improvement from the gluten free diet can range from 48 hours to several weeks.