Celiac Disease Symptoms: Abdominal Disorder

Celiac disease, also known as celiac sprue, is a condition in which the immune system attacks the body's tissues when gluten is consumed, damaging the intestines. Therefore, those affected cannot consume dietary elements, according to the National Health Service (NHS) in Britain.

Celiac disease can cause a range of symptoms, including diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloating.

The cause of celiac disease Celiac disease is a condition of autoimmune diseases, where the immune system (the body's defense against infection) mistakenly attacks healthy tissues. In celiac disease, the immune system mistakes the substances found in gluten, considering them a threat to the body, and attacks them. This damages the surface of the small intestine and impairs the body's ability to absorb nutrients from food. It is not entirely clear what causes the immune system to behave in this way, but it seems that a combination of genes and the environment play a role in it.

Celiac disease can cause a range of symptoms, including diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloating.

Gluten is found in:

• Wheat.
• Barley.
• Rye.

Gluten is found in any food that contains these grains, including:

• Pastries.
• Cereal grains.
• Most types of bread.
• Some types of sauce.
• Some ready-made meals.

Symptoms of Celiac Disease

According to Cleveland Clinic, when people with celiac disease consume gluten-containing foods, their immune systems attack the lining of the intestines, causing inflammation and damage to the villi, which are hair-like structures on the lining of the small intestine.

The villi absorb nutrients from food. When damaged, the affected individual cannot absorb nutrients, leading to malnutrition regardless of how much they eat.

Consuming gluten-containing foods can lead to a range of gastrointestinal symptoms, such as:

• Diarrhea, which may have a particularly foul smell.
• Stomach pain.
• Bloating.
• Indigestion.
• Constipation.

Celiac disease can also cause general symptoms, including:

• Fatigue due to inadequate nutrition from food.
• Malnutrition.
• Unintended weight loss.
• Itchy skin rash.
• Fertility issues.
• Infertility.
• Nerve damage.
• Peripheral neuropathy.

How do I know if my child has celiac disease?

In addition to the above symptoms, children with celiac disease may not grow and may experience delayed puberty.

Treatment of Celiac Disease

There is no cure for celiac disease, but following a gluten-free diet should help control symptoms and prevent long-term complications.

Even if you have mild symptoms, it's still recommended to change your diet because continued gluten consumption can lead to serious complications. This may be the case even if tests show you have a certain degree of celiac disease, even if you don't have noticeable symptoms.

It's important to ensure that your gluten-free diet is healthy and balanced, and the increased availability of gluten-free food options in recent years has made it possible to have a healthy and diverse gluten-free diet.

If you have celiac disease, you cannot consume any gluten-containing foods (including wheat, barley, and rye), and you will be encouraged to visit a dietitian for official dietary instructions. Eliminating gluten from your diet usually leads to symptom improvement within a few days, and eventually, the disease symptoms resolve. However, villi typically take months to years to heal completely, so it may take two to three years for adult intestines to heal, compared to about 6 months for a child.

Regular medical follow-up visits are necessary (usually after 3 months, then 6 months, then annually), and you must remain on this diet for the rest of your life, as consuming even a small amount of gluten can damage the intestines and reoccur the problem.

Following a gluten-free diet means you cannot consume many "staple foods," including pasta, grains, and many processed foods containing gluten. There may also be gluten in ingredients added to food to improve texture or flavor, as well as in some medications. Some less obvious sources of gluten include ice cream and salad dressings, and cross-contamination is another common source of gluten when gluten-free foods inadvertently come into contact with gluten.

If you have celiac disease, you can still eat a balanced diet. For example, bread and pasta made from other types of flour (potato, rice, corn, or soy) are available, and grocery stores and some supermarkets also sell gluten-free bread and products.

You can also eat fresh foods that are not processed, such as fruits, vegetables, meats, and fish, as they do not contain gluten.

Complications of Celiac Disease

Complications of celiac disease tend to only affect those who continue to consume gluten or those who have not been diagnosed with this condition yet, which can be a common problem in mild cases.

Possible long-term complications include:

• Osteoporosis.
• Anemia due to iron and vitamin B12 deficiency.
• Anemia due to folate deficiency.
• Less common but more serious complications include some types of cancers, such as colon cancer, and pregnancy-related problems, such as low birth weight.

What's the difference between celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS)?

Celiac disease causes damage to the small intestines, and there are specific blood markers that help confirm the diagnosis. Non-celiac gluten sensitivity can cause symptoms including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, diarrhea, joint pain, fatigue, and "brain fog." These symptoms may be mild or severe; however, non-celiac gluten sensitivity does not harm the intestines, and there are no specific blood markers. Diagnosis is made by symptom improvement after following a gluten-free diet, according to Cleveland Clinic.

What are silent symptoms of celiac disease?

Cleveland Clinic states that some people have "non-classic celiac disease," as is the case when the only symptom is anemia, which has become the most common type of celiac disease.

Others may have "asymptomatic celiac disease," a condition in which the person has no symptoms at all.

Diagnosis of Celiac Disease

If your healthcare provider suspects you may have celiac disease, they will perform a thorough physical examination and discuss your medical history with you. The provider may also perform a blood test to measure levels of antibodies to gluten, as individuals with celiac disease have higher levels of certain antibodies in their blood. Sometimes, it may be necessary to perform a genetic test for celiac disease in the blood.

Your provider may also conduct other tests to look for nutritional deficiencies, such as a blood test to detect iron levels. Iron deficiency (which can cause anemia) can occur with celiac disease, and your provider may take a biopsy of your small intestine to check for villi damage.