What causes celiac disease later in life?
Once your immune system starts attacking your body, it can
lead to a persistent autoimmune illness called celiac disease.1 Gluten is
celiac disease's immune system's primary target. Barley, rye, and wheat
products all contain the protein known as gluten.
The small intestine is harmed by the immune system in a
celiac disease sufferer who consumes gluten. This can cause a number of health
issues, and the inflammation this immune response causes can have a variety of
Every system of the body might be affected by these
symptoms, which vary from person to person. You should be aware of the
following celiac disease symptoms, which are some of the most prevalent.
Signs of Celiac Disease
GI symptoms, or those that affect the digestive system, may
come to mind when you think of celiac disease.
According to Salvatore Alesci, MD, Ph.D., chief scientist and
strategy officer at the patient advocacy and research organization Beyond
Celiac, gastrointestinal symptoms are the primary presentation of the condition
in 40% to 60% of patients.
These signs may include:
- Stomach ache
- Stools with a bad odor or that float
It might be challenging to distinguish these symptoms from
those of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), one of the more typical GI illnesses.
I rule out celiac disease before I identify someone with
IBS, according to integrative medicine doctor and registered dietitian Amy
Burkhart, MD, RDN, who specializes in gut health.
ALSO READ: Why Is MyPoop Dark Green? The Real Causes
Despite the fact that GI symptoms may be among the celiac
disease symptoms that are most frequently seen, 40% to 60% of those who have
the disease don't experience any GI symptoms, according to Dr. Alesci. And the
main factor in patients receiving incorrect diagnoses or being undetected is a
lack of the characteristic GI symptoms.
Dr. Alesci stated that although "most people don't
think about celiac disease as a disease of the brain," a team of
researchers at the University of Sheffield in the [United Kingdom] have
demonstrated that those who have the condition suffer brain damage.
The study discovered that people with celiac disease had
shorter reaction times, among other factors. Other neurological symptoms of
celiac disease, according to Dr. Alesci, include short-term memory loss,
difficulty focusing or finding the correct words, and attention issues.
Your body is continuously in peril from chronic inflammation,
according to Dr. Alesci, and you might also feel anxious. You may be more
likely to experience depression if you have malabsorption of nutrients due to
celiac disease.4 Having a chronic illness identified may also cause anxiety
The University of Sheffield study also discovered that
participants experienced sadness, thoughts of self-harm, anxiety symptoms, and
discontent relating to their health.
and Coordination Difficulties
According to Dr. Alesci, the cerebellum, a part of the brain
that regulates coordination and movement, contains the same antibodies that
assault your small intestine.
According to Dr. Alesci, patients may have uncoordinated
balance, walking, and eye movements. Other signs and symptoms of celiac disease
include numbness, tingling, and weakness (neuropathy).
You run the chance of developing osteoporosis, a condition
in which your bones weaken and crack. Weaker bones result from the body's
inability to absorb nutrients.
This is brought on by calcium and vitamin D3 malabsorption,
claims Dr. Alesci. A gluten-free diet will facilitate the assimilation of those
elements from your diet, but you'll probably need to take supplements as well.
of the Thyroid
Thyroid dysfunction is a further consequence of poor
Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis are autoimmune
thyroid disorders that can be brought on by celiac disease. It is believed that
thyroid disease may be brought on by the body's inability to absorb iron and
According to Dr. Burkhart, canker sores that reoccur
frequently and enamel abnormalities like spots on teeth could be symptoms of
Dr. Burkhart said, "If you have frequent mouth sores or
other dental problems like fractures and tooth decay, that should prompt a
The onset of mouth sores may be influenced by chronic stress
or inflammation. Additionally, iron, folate, and vitamin B12 malabsorption can
cause your tongue to burn and feel dry.
If you don't follow a gluten-free diet, those symptoms could
eventually make you more likely to develop oral and esophageal cancer.
Lack of iron intake or absorption can cause anemia. This
nutrient aids in the production of hemoglobin, a blood protein required for the
transportation of oxygen throughout your body and for the production of energy.
And because celiac disease hinders the body's ability to absorb nutrients, this
can lead to an iron deficit.
Iron supplements are the preferred treatment.11 Anemia that
does not improve after supplementing could be a symptom of celiac disease,
according to Dr. Burkhart.
Pregnancy and childbirth may be challenging for those with
celiac disease. Dr. Alesci stated that this is because ingesting gluten may
develop antibodies that assault the placenta.
According to research, 1% to 3% of women with unexplained
infertility may have celiac disease but are unaware of it. According to another
research, males with undiagnosed celiac disease have reduced reproductive
ALSO READ: How to know if you are infertile male
In one study, it was discovered that women with celiac
disease who had not yet received a diagnosis had a much-increased chance of
miscarriage and stillbirth. Following diagnosis, the likelihood of having
reproductive problems was comparable to that of people without celiac disease.
with Loss of Weight
Feeling exhausted or realizing you've lost weight is common
due to the stress and demands of daily living. Even though they are both very
typical, such symptoms can indicate a number of illnesses, including autoimmune
Therefore, discuss the possibility of celiac disease with
your healthcare practitioner if you notice that you are experiencing unusual
fatigue or that you are losing weight despite not attempting to do so (which
can occur if nutrients are not being absorbed adequately).
ALSO READ: How to
Prevent Obesity and Diabetes
HOW CAN YOU TELL IF THE SYMPTOMS YOU'RE EXPERIENCING ARE DUE
TO CELIAC DISEASE?
The presence of so many symptoms across the body makes
diagnosing celiac disease difficult. Celiac illness has more than 250 recognized
Nevertheless, of all chronic autoimmune conditions, Dr.
Alesci said that "celiac is the most underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed
Connecting the dots between symptoms that initially appear
unconnected is frequently necessary for diagnosis, and you might need to see
various physicians for every issue. Only 17% of Americans, who account for one
in 133, are aware that they have celiac disease.
"Celiac disease has been regarded as a rare disease,
but I don't consider it one in 100 rare," said Dr. Burkhart.
Although those who get celiac disease are genetically
predisposed to the condition, the disease process must also be initiated by an
environmental factor. Dr. Burkhart claims that causes may include viral
infections, pregnancy, menopause, or nutritional issues.
Furthermore, because celiac disease can run in families, it's crucial to let your doctor know if a first- or second-degree relative is affected. This will allow them to schedule a test for you sooner.
A quick blood test for antibodies is the initial step in the
celiac disease diagnosis process. The diagnosis can then be confirmed by a
small intestinal biopsy. One thing to keep in mind is that you must continue to
ingest gluten before a blood test for celiac disease if you want an accurate
Celiac Disease Symptoms Be Managed?
As soon as a diagnosis is made, "the only treatment is
a lifelong strict, gluten-free diet," according to Dr. Burkhart. Because
of this, some people are reluctant to receive a diagnosis of celiac disease.
But knowing is still important.
Small intestine and esophageal cancer risk is increased by
celiac disease and nonadherence to a gluten-free diet. Inflammation from it may
also cause the small intestine to narrow. If you don't control your celiac
disease, your chances of having osteoporosis, infertility, neuropathy, and many
vitamin deficiencies rise.
An autoimmune ailment called celiac disease manifests itself
in a variety of ways. Every system in the human body can be affected by the
disease, which can cause symptoms ranging from GI (gastrointestinal) (such as
bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort) to neurological (such as brain
fog and depression).
The danger of subsequent health issues might be reduced by
getting identified if you exhibit any celiac disease symptoms. If you are
exhibiting celiac disease symptoms or have a family member who has the
condition, consult your healthcare professional.
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