Article by Dr. Becky Gillaspy
Celiac disease symptoms will differ from individual to individual and this post will help you sift through the confusing and sometimes complicated signs and symptoms of celiac disease so you can better understand how to handle this condition. This is primarily a dysfunction of the small intestine which prevents the absorption of nutrients. With this problem the lining of the small intestine is irritated once an particular person eats certain foods that contain ingredients like gluten, wheat, barley or rye resulting in signs and symptoms that can vary from diarrhea to constipation.
This disorder, which additionally goes by the name of Sprue or Gluten Intolerance, can come about at any point of life and individuals with a family history of Celiac Disease are at higher risk of getting the dysfunction. If you would like to walk through your digestive symptoms to discover a self analysis you can do so using this online symptom diagnosis tool.
Celiac Disease Symptoms And Causes
Indications can develop in infants once they commence consuming food items that consist of gluten (a protein identified in wheat and various other grains) however, indications may additionally develop in adulthood. Indications can vary from one particular person to the next but can bring about quite a few gastrointestinal signs or symptoms like:
* Diarrhea (loose, pale, and foul-smelling)
* Constipation
* Basic transformations in stool (the stool may be bloody, foul-smelling or float)
* Abdominal pain, swelling or bloating
* Gas
* Reduction of appetite (other persons may develop an rise in appetite, whilst other people couldhave no change)
* Nausea and vomiting
Various other signs which are not directly associated to the gastrointestinal tract yet still may be present include:
* Weight loss
* Malnutrition
* Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose)
* Ulcers in the mouth
* Swelling in the lower limbs and possibly a tingling or burning feeling in the fingers or feet
* Bruising easily
* Exhaustion
* Hair reduction or loss
* Muscle cramps
* Delay in a child’s growth progress
* Vitamin or mineral deficiency (i.e. iron, folate, Vitamin K)
As for the cause, celiac disease is an inherited sickness that runs in some families of European ancestry. It is classified as an autoimmune disorder, which means that the particular person’s immune system mistakenly assaults its own healthy cells, tissue and organs. Females are more typically affected than men.
Celiac Disease Diagnosis And Treatment
Diagnosis can initially be determined by the observation of aforementioned signs by an individual with the ailment. A physical exam will be necessary to verify the diagnosis and may involve evaluation of blood and stool samples, or a biopsy of the small intestine (celiac disease is not cancerous).
For treatment an individual will need to eat a gluten-free diet (stay away from wheat, rye, oats, barley, and quite a few prepared meals which include gluten). It’s required to read food and medicine labels cautiously to keep away from these food sources.
Following a gluten-free diet plan can be challenging but many gluten-free products are now on the market and there are a lot more opportunities for education, which can guide an person through the diet change. There are registered dieticians and Celiac Disease Support Groups readily available for extra assistance.
A physician or dietician may propose supplementing the diet plan with iron, folic acid, and calcium.
Take an active role in your health by learning all you can about Celiac Disease.
You can read more about this condition and use a free tool that walks you through your symptoms and leads you to an online diagnosis. Prepare yourself before your doctor’s visit and figure out what your symptoms mean using this Medical Symptoms Tool.
