Celiac disease symptoms and treatment
Find a GI specialistWhat is celiac disease?
Image shows the difference between healthy intestinal lining and damaged intestinal lining caused by celiac disease.
Celiac disease – sometimes referred to as celiac sprue or gluten-sensitive enteropathy – is caused by a hereditary autoimmune disorder that leads to inflammation of the lining of the small intestine.
After exposure to gluten, finger-like stalks (villi) that line the small intestine become damaged so they can’t absorb nutrients. Left untreated, this damage (villous atrophy) can lead to serious health problems. Celiac disease can be diagnosed with a biopsy and blood tests.
What is gluten?
Gluten is a protein naturally found in wheat, rye and barley. It’s also found in some medicines, vitamins, supplements and cosmetics. If you’re diagnosed with celiac disease you’ll need to avoid foods and products that contain gluten for the rest of your life to avoid damage to your small intestines and any complications.
Conditions that mimic celiac disease
Two other conditions are sometimes confused with celiac disease because they’re related to gluten and wheat. They differ from celiac disease and from each other in important ways.
- Non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) differs from celiac disease because it isn’t hereditary or autoimmune-related. There are no defined tests to diagnose the condition and it causes no damage to the small intestine. Gluten sensitivity symptoms are similar to celiac disease symptoms.
- Gluten sensitivity is sometimes referred to as gluten intolerance. Experts agree that the term gluten sensitivity is more medically accurate.
- Wheat allergy triggers an allergic response and doesn’t cause damage to the intestine. Like other allergies, an allergy to wheat can be diagnosed with skin tests or blood testing for specific antibodies. Wheat allergy symptoms tend to affect the upper respiratory system, although there may be some digestive symptoms.
Celiac disease symptoms
Celiac disease symptoms vary from person to person. The most common include chronic diarrhea or constipation. Other digestive symptoms of celiac disease may include:
- Bloating
- Gas
- Lactose intolerance due to damage to the small intestine
- Loose, greasy, bulky and bad-smelling stools
- Nausea or vomiting
- Abdominal pain
Digestive celiac disease symptoms are more common in infants and children than in adults.
Celiac disease symptoms unrelated to digestion
Some people may have symptoms in other parts of the body than the digestive system, such as:
- Dermatitis herpetiformis (an itchy, scaly rash)
- Fatigue
- Joint or bone pain
- Depression or anxiety
- Nervous system symptoms such as headaches, balance problems or seizures
- Mouth symptoms such as canker sores, dry mouth, or a red, smooth, shiny tongue
Children’s symptoms of celiac disease
When children have celiac disease they’re unable to absorb nutrients needed for growth and development. They may have symptoms such as:
- Damage to enamel of teeth
- Delayed puberty
- Failure to thrive (infant or child who doesn’t gain weight as expected)
- Slowed growth and short height
- Weight loss
Complications of celiac disease
Complications from celiac disease are possible for both people who pursue treatment and people who don’t get treatment. Some complications of celiac disease are:
- Osteomalacia (softening of the bones)
- Anemia
- Malnutrition
- Nervous system problems
- Problems related to the reproductive system
- Increased risk of intestinal cancer
- Liver damage
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Celiac disease risk factors
Celiac disease can develop at any age and is estimated to affect one in 100 people. If any of the following variables apply to you, they put you at a higher risk for developing celiac disease:
- Being White or female
- Having a biological relative who has celiac disease
- Being diagnosed with other diseases related to the immune system such as some thyroid diseases or Type 1 diabetes
- Having DQ2 or DQ8 genes
- Having chromosomal disorders such as Down syndrome, Turner syndrome or Williams syndrome
Celiac disease diagnosis
To be tested for celiac disease, you’ll first meet with your doctor for a physical exam. You’ll talk about your possible celiac disease symptoms, and then your doctor may order tests, such as:
- A blood test for celiac disease to check for an autoimmune reaction to gluten
- An upper GI endoscopy to get a tissue sample (biopsy) from your small intestine
- A capsule endoscopy to get pictures of your digestive tract
- Genetic tests to see if you have genes related to celiac disease
Your doctor may also recommend allergy tests to check for wheat allergy or tests for other digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Celiac disease services
If you’re diagnosed with celiac disease, your Aurora Heath Care team will work with you to determine the best celiac disease management options for you. This includes eliminating gluten from your diet.
If you have dermatitis herpetiformis, your doctor may prescribe medication to help it heal.
You’ll be referred to a dietitian who specializes in gluten-free diets, who can help you:
- Adopt a healthy gluten-free diet, also known as a celiac disease diet
- Avoid foods, medicines and other products containing gluten
- Design meal plans to fit your life
- Choose vitamins and supplements to ease your symptoms of celiac disease
Damage to your intestines should heal once you’re following a gluten-free diet. Many people notice symptom improvement within days to weeks after changing their diet.
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