Celiac disease: is a condition that damages the lining of the small intestine and prevents it from absorbing parts of food that are important for staying healthy. The damage is due to a reaction to eating gluten, which is found in wheat, barley, rye, and possibly oats.
Celiac Disease is linked to many immune related disorders. The best established connection is with type-one diabetes. Some researchers believe that gluten intolerance can impair mental functioning in some individuals. Some other illnesses related to Celiac Disease are chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic active hepatitis and inflammatory bowel disease.
Should I see my doctor?
If you have members of your family that have celiac disease, you may want to ask your doctor if you are at risk. Your doctor may recommend testing as celiac disease usually runs in families. Even if no one in your family has celiac disease, you may want to consult your doctor if you have one or more of the following symptoms:
Symptoms of gluten intolerance:
- Irritability or depression
- Anemia
- Stomach upset
- Joint pain
- Muscle cramps
- Skin rash
- Mouth sores
- Dental and bone disorders (such as osteoporosis)
- Tingling in the legs and feet (neuropathy)
- Intermittent diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Irritable bowel syndrome-type symptoms
- Gastric ulcer-type symptoms
- Crohn's disease-type symptoms
- Parasite infection-symptoms
Symptoms caused by malabsorption of nutrients resulting from celiac disease:
- Weight loss
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal cramps, gas and bloating
- General weakness and fatigue
- Foul-smelling or grayish stools that may be fatty or oily
- Stunted growth (in children)
- Osteoporosis
Gluten-related condition:
- Dermatitis herpetiformis is an itchy, blistering skin disease that also stems from gluten intolerance. The rash usually occurs on the torso, scalp and buttocks. Dermatitis herpetiformis can cause changes to the lining of the small intestine similar to that of celiac disease. However, it may not produce noticeable digestive symptoms. This disease is treated with a gluten-free diet, in addition to medication to control the rash.
When should I have my child tested?
If your child is pale, irritable and fails to grow, has a potbelly and/or foul-smelling or bulky stools, testing is recommended. However, other conditions can cause these same signs and symptoms, so do not just put your child on a gluten-free diet without first consulting the child's physician.
Since gluten can damage the villi, it is common for Celiacs to have problems with other food intolerances, especially lactose intolerance.
*********If you are gluten intolerant, then your body will produce antibodies to fight it. It is important not to be on a gluten-free diet when you get tested. If you have not eaten gluten, your body will not produce the antibodies that are picked up for a positive on your gluten test. Make sure to eat gluten-containing foods for at least a week before getting tested.*********
