Celiac Disease Symptoms

Celiac Disease: Introduction

Celiac disease, also called celiac sprue and gluten sensitivity, is a genetic autoimmune disorder affecting the small intestine. It is characterized by swelling of the small intestine and degree of failure to absorb nutrients (mal-absorption). Celiac disease can affect people of all ages.

This health disorder causes damage to the villi (inner lining of small intestine) which performs the function of absorbing important nutrients from the foods we consume. As the inflammation increases, the power of the villi to absorb nutrients decreases.

What are the Celiac Disease Symptoms?

There is intolerance towards gluten in person suffering from celiac disease. On consuming foods containing gluten, the person’s immune system starts attacking the small intestine.

Celiac disease signs and symptoms can vary greatly and be specific among individuals and can be mild or severe. This largely depends on the degree of mal-absorption that is present. In some patients, there may be a total absence of symptoms.

In fact, celiac disease is generally asymptomatic (it rarely exhibits any signs or symptoms).

When celiac disease symptoms do appear, as commonly seen among small children, they’re experienced in the form of;

• Irritability
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting
• Foul smelling stool
• Diarrhea
• Unexplained weight loss

Symptoms are triggered due to hypersensitivity to gluten (protein that is found in grains such as wheat, barley, oats and rye).

This leads to malnutrition in the affected children and their growth is affected and inhibited. This may also result in growth delay in children.

There may also be other signs of celiac disease such as a delayed puberty as well as damage to the tooth enamel (celiac disease associated complications).  Many disease and conditions can result due to mal-absorption of vitamins and other supplements;

Symptoms for celiac disease in adults:

• Bone pain
• Joint pain
• Anemia
• Arthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Muscle weakness
• Nerve damage
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Infertility

Additional symptoms and signs for celiac disease:

• Itchy skin
• Easy bruising
• Nosebleeds
• Growth delay (children)
• Hair loss
• Mouth ulcers
• Fatigue
• Seizures
• Missed menstrual periods
• Short stature

Moreover, the disease also carries a potential of increasing risk of lymphoma and miscarriage. Treatment consists of a gluten-free diet.

Medications are prescribed to manage and control aggravated symptoms of celiac disease and can help bring about a substantial improvement.