Celiac Disease Symptoms, Causes, Risk Factors and Complications

Celiac Disease

Symptoms, Causes, Risk Factors and Complications

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that damages the small intestine when gluten is eaten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. When people with celiac disease eat gluten, their immune system reacts by attacking the villi, which are small finger-like projections that line the small intestine. This damage to the villi can prevent the small intestine from absorbing nutrients properly, which can lead to a variety of health problems.

Symptoms of Celiac Disease

Celiac disease symptoms can vary from person to person and can range from mild to severe. Some common symptoms include:

• Diarrhea

• Weight loss

• Fatigue

• Bloating

• Abdominal pain

• Constipation

• Unexplained iron deficiency anemia

• Mouth sores

• Skin rash

• Infertility

• Bone loss

• Depression

• Anxiety

Causes of Celiac Disease

• The exact celiac disease causes is not fully understood, but it is thought to be an inherited condition. People with celiac disease have a gene that makes them more likely to develop the disease when they eat gluten.

Risk Factors for Celiac Disease

• The following factors may increase the risk of developing celiac disease:

• Family history of celiac disease

• Type 1 diabetes

• Down syndrome

• Turner syndrome

• Autoimmune thyroid disease

• Autoimmune liver disease

• Autoimmune skin disease

• Inflammatory bowel disease

Complications of Celiac Disease

• If celiac disease is not treated, it can lead to a number of complications, including:

• Anemia

• Bone loss

• Vitamin and mineral deficiencies

• Infertility

• Miscarriage

• Intestinal lymphoma

• Other autoimmune diseases

Diagnosis of Celiac Disease

• There is no single test that can diagnose celiac disease. A doctor will typically perform a physical exam and ask about your medical history. They may also order blood tests to check for antibodies that are associated with celiac disease. If the blood tests are positive, you may need to have an upper endoscopy with biopsy. This is a procedure where a doctor inserts a thin tube with a camera into your stomach and small intestine to look for damage to the villi.

Treatment for Celiac Disease

• The only treatment for celiac disease is a gluten-free diet. This means avoiding foods that contain wheat, barley, and rye. There are many gluten-free foods available, and there are also many resources available to help people with celiac disease follow a gluten-free diet.

Living with Celiac Disease

• Following a gluten-free diet can be challenging, but it is essential for people with celiac disease to prevent further damage to their small intestine and to improve their overall health. There are many resources available to help people with celiac disease live a healthy life, including the Celiac Disease Foundation and the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness.