Symptoms of Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is also referred to as gluten-sensitive enteropathy. This disease is classified as autoimmune, malabsorption and gluten-allergic diseases. It is an inherited digestive disorder, which is triggered by consumption of gluten-containing cereal grains. Gluten is a protein found in pasta, pizza crust, bread, cookies and several other foods containing barley, wheat, rye or oats. When a person having celiac disease consumes foods containing gluten, an immune reaction takes place in the small intestine. It causes damage to the surface lining of small intestine and makes it unable to absorb certain nutrients from food such as vitamins, minerals, folate, iron, fats, proteins and calcium. Malabsorption (reduced absorption of nutrients) can lead to vitamin deficiencies. It prevents vital nourishment of important organs such as liver, central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, bones and other organs; leading to various illnesses such as anemia, fatigue and weight loss. Decreased nutrient absorption due to celiac disease is especially serious in case of children. They deprive of essential nutrients required for a healthy growth.

Causes of Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is observed in people having a susceptibility to gluten intolerance. In celiac disease, the inner lining of small intestine is destructed due to an allergic (immunological) reaction to gluten. The exact cause of celiac disease is not clear. It is likely to result from some forms of trauma, physical injury, infection, severe stress, surgery or stress of pregnancy. People with autoimmune disorders such as type-1 diabetes, lupus erythematosus, autoimmune thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis and microscopic colitis are more prone to celiac disease.

Symptoms of Celiac Disease

Symptoms of celiac disease are widely varied in person to person. In some cases, it may cause abdominal pain and diarrhea, while in some people it results in irritation and depression. The symptoms may be because of vitamin or mineral deficiencies or malabsorption of nutrients. Infants and children display the symptoms such as diarrhea and abnormal stretching of abdomen. They may also have the symptoms of malnutrition such as anemia, weakness, short stature, defects in teething, developmental delay and failure to thrive. In adults, gastrointestinal complaints can be commonly seen, including diarrhea, flatulence and abdominal pain. Weight loss is also very common. Only few people with celiac disease display typical gastrointestinal symptoms. There may be no symptoms at all in some cases.

Some of the common symptoms of celiac disease are:

• Recurrent chronic diarrhea
• Regular constipation
• Abdominal cramps, pain and bloating
• Excessive foul-smelling gases
• Anemia or weight loss
• Bone or joint pain
• General weakness and fatigue
• Osteoporosis
• Stunted growth in case of children
• Muscle cramps
• Infertility, recurrent miscarriages
• Behavioral changes
• Itchy skin rash, called dermatitis herpetiformis
• Nerve damage
• Irregular menstrual periods

Dermatitis herpetiformis is blistering, itchy skin disease that results from gluten intolerance. The rash is generally seen on the knees, elbows and buttocks. It also can cause remarkable damage to small intestine similar to celiac disease. But it doesn’t cause noticeable digestive symptoms.

Other conditions related to celiac disease are Down syndrome, type-1 diabetes, ataxia, peripheral neuropathy, arthritis, eczema, tooth discoloration or loss of enamel depression and thyroiditis. If celiac disease is not properly treated with a gluten-free diet, then there is a risk of developing a number of long-term complications such as lymphoma (tumors of lymph nodes), osteoporosis (weakening of bones) and infertility.

In addition to physical symptoms, celiac disease can also cause some behavioral changes such as depression, irritability, mood changes, becoming disinterested in routine activities and an inability to concentrate.