Celiac disease is a type of autoimmune condition. This means that the body's defense against foreign invaders and infections – the immune system – confuses healthy tissue for an invader and starts to attack it. As such, celiac disease is not a gluten intolerance, nor is it an allergy.
Celiac Disease Signs and Symptoms:
For people who have celiac disease, their immune system believes that the various substances and proteins in gluten are threats to the body, and starts to attack them. As a result, the surface of the intestines (the small bowel) becomes damaged, which makes it more difficult for the digestive system to properly absorb the nutrients, including vitamins and minerals, found in food.
It isn't clear why the immune system acts in this manner in people with celiac disease. However, it is believed that the genetic makeup of individuals plays an important role, as does the environment. Further studies are still being conducted.
The celiac disease signs and symptoms vary, ranging from mild to severe. Often, they tend to come and go. As such, in mild cases, most people do not notice any real symptoms at all. In fact, it isn't until people are tested for a different condition that they find out they have celiac disease. Treatment is still recommended, however, as it is possible for people to experience celiac complications if it is not treated.
Most Common Celiac Disease Signs & Symptoms:
The most common celiac disease signs and symptoms are diarrhea and malabsorption. Because the body is incapable of fully absorbing the nutrients in food, the digestive system starts to react. Additionally, when people experience malabsorption, their stools often contain very high levels of fat, known as steatorrhoea. As a result, their stools are often frothy, greasy, and very foul smelling. It may be difficult to flush them properly down the toilet as well.
There are a number of other common signs and symptoms, including:
– Noisy stomach and flatulence
– Abdominal pain and bloating
– Fatigue and tiredness, particularly if people start to get anemic
– Weight loss
– Peripheral neuropathy
– Vomiting, although this is more common in children
– Edema in the legs, arms, feet, and hands
Malnutrition:
If left untreated, people who have this disease are more likely to become malnourished. This leaves them feeling that they lack energy and that they are very tired. In children, it can lead to restricted growth, both in terms of height and weight, and older children often go into delayed puberty.
Dermatitis Herpetiformis:
Dermatitis herpetiformis is not directly a symptom of celiac disease. However, it is common in those who have an autoimmune reaction to gluten. This condition is a type of skin rash, that is characterized by extremely itchy blisters. When the blisters are scratched, they burst. Usually, people have this rash on the buttocks, knees, and elbows, although it can happen in other parts as well. It is believed that dermatitis herpetiformis is present in 20% of all celiac sufferers.
It isn't known what causes dermatitis herpetiformis. However, it is closely linked to gluten. Just as with celiac disease, the condition should resolve itself when gluten is removed from the diet.