Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that mainly affects the gastrointestinal tract. In people with celiac disease, an allergic reaction is triggered when gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley) is ingested. Over time, the immune reactions triggered by gluten inflame and damage small structures on the surface of the intestine.
Unmanaged celiac disease can cause uncomfortable digestive symptoms, as well as symptoms that affect other parts of the body. Some symptoms result from inflammation in the intestines, while other symptoms stem from a lack of nutrients, due to the failure of the damaged intestine to digest food properly.
The symptoms of celiac disease vary so widely that there is no such thing as a typical case. Some people with celiac disease experience mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, which can delay a medical diagnosis.
Digestive symptoms
Digestive symptoms of celiac disease are more common in children than adults. Children generally develop symptoms only after they start eating foods that contain gluten.
Digestive symptoms of celiac disease may include:
Non-digestive symptoms
Some people with celiac disease experience symptoms that affect other parts of the body. Problems associated with celiac disease or caused by poor absorption of nutrients include:
- bone or joint pain
- iron-deficiency anemia
- weight loss
- arthritis
- fatigue
- bone loss
- tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
- dermatitis herpetiformis (a skin condition characterized by extremely itchy bumps or blisters)
- depression, irritability, or mood changes
- delayed start or missed menstrual periods
- infertility or repeated miscarriages
- symptoms involving the mouth, such as canker sores
- liver disease.
How long after eating gluten can symptoms start?
The reaction and reaction time varies among individuals. Some people will have a reaction within two to three hours of gluten consumption. Others may not feel anything until the next day or a few days after, and some not at all.
Common symptoms after exposure to gluten include:
- nausea
- vomiting (very severe in some cases)
- gas/bloating
- cramps
- abdominal pain
- diarrhea
- constipation
- tiredness
- brain fog
- muscle and joint pain.
Diagnosis and treatment of celiac disease
Celiac disease should not be self-diagnosed. If you suspect you or your child has celiac disease, see a doctor.
Treatment for celiac disease is focused on eliminating gluten from the diet, which should be done in consultation with a doctor. After a person begins eating a gluten-free diet, symptoms typically improve and may go away. However, if a person consumes small amounts of gluten, symptoms may flare up.
FAQs
They may suffer from abdominal distention and pain, and/or other symptoms such as: iron-deficiency anemia, chronic fatigue, chronic migraine, peripheral neuropathy (tingling, numbness, or pain in hands or feet), unexplained chronic hypertransaminasemia (elevated liver enzymes), reduced bone mass and bone fractures, and ...
What are the 15 symptoms of celiac disease? ›
They may suffer from abdominal distention and pain, and/or other symptoms such as: iron-deficiency anemia, chronic fatigue, chronic migraine, peripheral neuropathy (tingling, numbness, or pain in hands or feet), unexplained chronic hypertransaminasemia (elevated liver enzymes), reduced bone mass and bone fractures, and ...
What are the 5 stages of celiac disease? ›
Celiac disease is clinically defined as classic, non-classic, subclinical, potential, and refractory.
How long after eating gluten do celiac symptoms start? ›
Celiac disease is a delayed hypersensitivity reaction where symptoms develop 48-72 hours after ingestion of the offending food which is in contrast to IgE-mediated food allergies where symptoms develop rather quickly. But, celiac disease shares some common features with IgE-mediated food allergies also.
What is the average life expectancy of someone with celiac disease? ›
A total of 828 patients (8.3%) died, with few deaths before the age of 40 years, more than half after the age of 60 years, and an average age at death of 68.6 years. Overall, mortality risk was 2-fold increased in patients with celiac disease compared with that in the general Swedish population (Table 1).
What does undiagnosed celiac feel like? ›
One individual may experience diarrhea and abdominal pain, while another may have feelings of irritability or depression. Some people show signs of the disease early in life, while others remain symptom-free well into adulthood. In certain cases, individuals with celiac disease may not exhibit any noticeable symptoms.
What can be mistaken for celiac disease? ›
Despite awareness efforts, celiac disease is often confused with other gluten-related disorders — like non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) or a wheat allergy. Both seem similar to celiac disease, but are different conditions.
What are the four markers for celiac disease? ›
Celiac Disease Tests
- tissue transglutaminase (tTG) immunoglobulin A (IgA) and tTG immunoglobulin G (IgG) tests.
- endomysial antibody (EMA) -IgA test.
- deamidated gliadin peptide (DGP) -IgA and DGP-IgG tests.
Silent celiac disease occurs when people do not have the typical digestive symptoms of the condition when they consume gluten. While a person may not have symptoms (or even an official diagnosis) of celiac, the damage to the intestines from the disease is still taking place.
What triggers celiac disease later in life? ›
Celiac disease is caused by specific genes, eating gluten, and possibly by some other triggers such as childbirth, surgery, stress, or other autoimmune disorders. However, medical science is still working to understand the roles of these potential causal factors.
Stool Color Changes Chart
| Color | Potential Cause | Comment |
|---|
| Brown | Normal color | Consult a healthcare professional |
| Yellow | Diseases of the pancreas | Malabsorption |
| Yellow | Celiac disease, cystic fibrosis | Consult a healthcare professional |
| Yellow | Giardia infection | Consult a healthcare professional |
11 more rowsThe intestines make up most of the middle and lower abdomen, so “gluten belly” will look like any other type of lower digestive tract bloating. However, if bloating seems to be a regular or constant problem, that's a possible sign that it may be due to gluten intolerance.
What does a celiac flare-up feel like? ›
Some people have diarrhea and belly (abdominal) pain. Others may feel moody or depressed. Each person's symptoms may vary.
What is stage 4 celiac disease? ›
Of course, stage four is the most advanced stage and is not seen too often. In this stage, Orlando Gastroenterology Consultants of Central Florida see the villi are completely flattened, or atrophied. The crypts, or depressions, between them are shrunken too.
Does celiac get progressively worse? ›
Over time, a range of problems may develop as a result of the body's reaction to gluten — from skin rashes and lactose intolerance to infertility, bone weakness and nerve damage. These can often happen even in the absence of digestive symptoms.
What celebrities have celiac disease? ›
List of people diagnosed with coeliac disease
| Name | Notability |
|---|
| Jennifer Esposito | American actress |
| Susie Essman | American comedian and actress |
| Dennis Hallman | American mixed martial artist |
| Elisabeth Hasselbeck | American television talk show host |
31 more rowsWhen you have celiac disease and you eat foods with gluten, your body has a reaction that is not normal. The part of your body that fights disease (the immune system) starts to hurt your small intestine. It attacks the tiny bumps (villi) that line your small intestine.
What do celiac stools look like? ›
Diarrhea caused by celiac disease is due to the maldigestion and malabsorption of nutrients. The stools might be watery or semiformed, light tan or gray, and oily or frothy. The stools have a characteristic foul odor.
How sick can celiac disease make you? ›
Celiac disease affects some people's livers more than others. Early blood tests may show elevated liver enzymes. Over time, they develop chronic liver disease and progressive liver damage. Healthcare providers aren't sure why this is, but they suspect it's related to chronic inflammation.
What three conditions are people with celiac disease at risk for? ›
Untreated celiac disease can lead to the development of other autoimmune disorders like type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis (MS), and many other conditions, including dermatitis herpetiformis (an itchy skin rash), anemia, osteoporosis, infertility and miscarriage, neurological conditions like epilepsy and migraines, ...
