Did you know that there are over 200 symptoms of Celiac Disease?
Here’s everything you need to know about Celiac Disease and helpful resources for your gluten free journey!
I find it super interesting hearing stories from other people with Celiac Disease on how their bodies respond after exposure to gluten because each experience is unique!
I personally get gastrointestinal symptoms, abdominal pain, as well as extreme immediate fatigue, speech issues, brain fog, abdominal bloating, and I can’t stay awake! I am also sensitive to gluten as an ingredient in body care and makeup! I break out in a horrible red rash with blisters on my body where it touches! This can last from a day to a few weeks depending on the severity of the exposure. My digestive system definitely becomes upset and my immune system is on high alert!
I know others who don’t have any belly (gastrointestinal) symptoms! They suffer from depression, dermatitis herpetiformis (skin redness and bumps), and headaches!
It can be so different for each person!
What are the top 10 signs of Celiac Disease?
The top 10 symptoms of celiac disease in no specific order for adults are:
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Liver Disorders
- Gas and Bloating
- Depression/Anxiety
- Peripheral Neuropathy
- Anemia
- Dermatitis Herpetiformis
- Loss of bone density
- GI Issues
The Top 10 symptoms of celiac disease for kids are:
- Nausea/Vomiting
- Chronic Diarrhea
- Swollen Belly
- Constipation
- Gas
- Pale smelly poo
- Failure to thrive in infants
- Weight loss
- Anemia
- Neurological symptoms such as ADHD, Learning disabilities, headaches, lack of muscle control, seizures, and more.
What is Dermatitis Herpetiformis?
A common symptom is Dermatitis Herpetiformis. It is a red rash that can be itchy or have blisters. You can have the rash without having GI symptoms. Doctors generally recommend a strict gluten-free diet and may proscribe medication to help with the rash. I get this on my body when I use skin care or lotion with gluten in it.
What Causes Celiac Disease?
There is no known cause of celiac disease according to www.mayoclinic.org.
It seems to be a genetic disease as people with a relative with celiac disease are more likely to have it.
It could be triggered by GI infections, surgery, pregnancy, childbirth, viral infections, emotional stress, and others.
What happens to your body when you have Celiac Disease?
When a person with celiac disease ingests gluten, the body forms an autoimmune response to it. It attacks the gluten and damages the villi in the small intestine. When the villi are damaged, your body cannot absorb nutrients from the food no matter what you eat.
This can cause malnutrition as well as other problems.
Celiac Disease is more common in people with the following conditions:
A family member with celiac disease or dermatitis herpetiformis
Type 1 Diabetes
Down syndrome or Turner syndrome
Autoimmune thyroid disease
Microscopic colitis
Addison’s disease
According to the mayo clinic.
If untreated, celiac disease can cause:
Malnutrition and Nutritional deficiencies
Bone weakness and bone mass loss
Unexplained Infertility
Miscarriage
Lactose Intolerance
Cancer
Nervos System Problems
Nondodgkins Lymphoma
Gastroparesis
Auto Immune Thyroid Disease
According to medivizor.com
Does Everyone respond to a gluten free diet?
Most people with Celiac Disease respond to a gluten-free diet however, it is possible to have nonresponsive Celiac Disease or Refractory celiac disease and you will need to work with your doctor for more testing to figure out what will help your symptoms.
How many people have Celiac Disease?
Celiac Disease affects 1% of the population. The even bigger statistic is that 97% of them are undiagnosed! It is an autoimmune disorder. You could also have gluten intolerance or gluten sensitivity and not necessarily celiac disease. When you have celiac disease, gluten causes intestinal damage when gluten is ingested. Even small amounts of gluten can be damaging to the body for people with Celiac disease. I use my Nima Partners Gluten Sensor to help me avoid unintentional gluten in my food when I eat out, travel, or try new brands of food.
What is gluten anyway?
According to celiac.org Gluten is a general name for the proteins found in wheat (wheatberries, durum, emmer, semolina, spelt, farina, farro, graham, KAMUT® Khorasan wheat, and einkorn), rye, barley, and triticale – a cross between wheat and rye. Gluten helps foods maintain their shape, acting as a glue that holds food together. Gluten can be found in many types of foods, even ones that would not be expected.
The big 3 to avoid are Wheat, Barley, and Rye! You should also be cautious of other grains farmed with those three too. Such as oats, lentils, etc.
How Do I Get Diagnosed with Celiac Disease?
There are a few ways to get diagnosed with Celiac Disease. Most people start with a blood test. If the blood test is positive, then they proceed with an endoscopy/biopsy. This confirms the diagnosis of celiac disease.
There are also genetic tests available as well as a saliva test.
How many symptoms are there for Celiac Disease?
There are over 200 symptoms of Celiac Disease. Here are some of the common symptoms of celiac disease, but you can read the complete list at www.onedishcuisine.wordpress.com
Dental enamel defects
Bone Fractures
Iron Deficiency
Delayed puberty
Irritability
Seizures
Short Stature
Cognitive Impairment
Headache
Chronic Migraine
Joint Pain
Missed Periods
Canker sores
Spleen issues
Elevated Liver Enzymes
Difficulty losing weight
Difficulty gaining weight
Late onset of menstruation
Early menopause
Infertility
Easy bruising
Unexplained nosebleeds
Gastric ulcers
Gum sensitivities
Heartburn
H pylori bacter
Impaired gallbladder
IBS
Lactose Intolerance
Laryngospasm
Leaky gut
Glandular issues
Allergic Rhinitis
Asthma
Food Allergies
Sjogren’s Syndrom
Chronic Himes
Alopecia
Eczema
Edema
Dry Rough Skin
Dry Brittle Nails
Ridges in Nails
Psoriasis
Scleroderma
Thinning Hair
Vitiligo
Muscle Pain
Muscle Spasm
Weight gain
Itchy Skin Rashes
Growth Failure
kidney diseases
Muscle Cramps
Muscle Weakness
Ataxia
Brain Atrophy
Chronic Fatigue Syndrom
Inability to concentrate
Insomnia
MS
Urinary Tract Infection
Irritable bowel syndrome
Vitamin b12 deficient
And many more!
What Should You do if you have any of these symptoms?
I would talk to your Dr about starting with a blood test to see if you have Celiac Disease. You can go to the Celiac Disease Foundation at www.celiac.org to take a symptoms assessment tool to see if you might have celiac disease.
Don’t be discouraged if your results aren’t what you expected. It can, unfortunately, take years to get diagnosed with celiac disease so be persistent!
If you are newly diagnosed with celiac disease you can find many great resources on the internet! I love to cook gluten-free foods and share them with you! I also teach a monthly online zoom class so check out the tab under cooking classes for more information! Check out my travel guides, reviews of gluten free products, and more on the blog!
Lastly, I want to encourage you because it can feel like a big life change! And it is a change for sure, but there are so many great options out there for gluten-free substitutions that you can do it! It is a lifestyle change switching to a strict gluten-free diet but once you start you will feel better and it’s worth it! I look forward to helping you along your gluten-free journey!
As Always,
Best Wishes for Gluten Free Dishes,
XO,
Michelle
Here’s a list of the Top Symptoms of Celiac Disease:
