Symptoms of Celiac Disease | Celiac Disease Foundation (2024)

FAQs

Symptoms of Celiac Disease | Celiac Disease Foundation? ›

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.

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.

Left untreated, celiac disease can lead to serious long-term health problems such as other autoimmune disorders, early onset osteoporosis, infertility and miscarriage, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, nervous system disorders, intestinal cancer and gall bladder malfunction.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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 does a celiac belly look like? ›

The 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.

For people with coeliac disease, even small amounts of gluten can damage the lining of the small intestine (bowel), which prevents the proper absorption of food nutrients. Inflammation also occurs elsewhere in the body. If you have coeliac disease, inflammation and damage can occur even if you have no symptoms.

However, celiac disease is much more than a digestive problem. Some of the top atypical symptoms are anemia, bones disease, elevated liver enzymes, neurological problems like migraines, short stature and reproductive problems. Learn more about each on below.

The risk of autoimmune disorders and cancers particularly increase in older celiac patients and is shown to be associated with both the age and the duration of gluten exposure.

Individuals with celiac disease have different needs at different times in their life. Because of these special needs, celiac disease is considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Symptoms of celiac disease include: Gas, a swollen belly, and bloating. This happens because the small intestine can't absorb nutrients from food. You may also have mild stomach pain, but it usually isn't severe.

Celiac disease is clinically defined as classic, non-classic, subclinical, potential, and refractory.

The intestinal damage often causes symptoms such as diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, bloating or anemia. It also can lead to serious complications if it is not managed or treated. In children, malabsorption can affect growth and development in addition to gastrointestinal symptoms.

Doctors use information from your medical and family history, a physical exam, a dental exam link, and medical test results to look for signs that you might have celiac disease and should be tested. Doctors typically diagnose celiac disease with blood tests and biopsies of the small intestine.