Definition
Celiac Disease (CD) is a lifelong inherited autoimmune condition affecting children and adults. When people with CD eat foods that contain gluten, it creates an immune-mediated toxic reaction that causes damage to the small intestine and does not allow food to be properly absorbed. Even small amounts of gluten in foods can affect those with CD and cause health problems. Damage can occur to the small bowel even when there are no symptoms present.
Gluten is the common name for the proteins in specific grains that are harmful to persons with celiac disease. These proteins are found in ALL forms of wheat (including durum, semolina, spelt, kamut, einkorn and faro) and related grains rye, barley and triticale and MUST be eliminated.
A partial listing of gastrointestinal symptoms:
- Abdominal pain
- Abdominal distention, bloating, gas, indigestion
- Constipation
- Decreased appetite (may also be increased or unchanged)
- Diarrhea, chronic or occasional
- Lactose intolerance (common upon diagnosis, usually goes away following treatment)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stools that float, are foul smelling, bloody, or “fatty”
- Unexplained weight loss (although people can be overweight or of normal weight upon diagnosis)
A partial listing of nonintestinal symptoms:
- Anemia (low blood count)
- Bone and joint pain
- Bone disease (osteoporosis, kyphoscoliosis, fracture)
- Breathlessness (due to anemia)
- Bruising easily
- Dental enamel defects and discoloration
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Growth delay in children
- Hair loss
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
- Irritability and behavioral changes
- Malnutrition
- Mouth ulcers
- Muscle cramps
- Nosebleed
- Seizures
- Short stature, unexplained
- Skin disorders (dermatitis herpetiformis)
- Swelling, general or abdominal
- Vitamin or mineral deficiency, single or multiple nutrient (for example, iron, folate, vitamin K)
To learn more you can go to Celiac.org
