Celiac Disease Symptoms & Treatments

Celiac disease, also known as celiac sprue, affects approximately three in 400 adults, making it one of the most common disorders of its kind. People with this disorder have an autoimmune response to gluten, a protein found in many grains. Early diagnosis and proper management of this condition is important in order to maintain good health. Fortunately, if you have celiac disease, management is simple and effective.

Celiac disease symptoms

The first symptoms of celiac disease that you may notice include gastrointestinal problems, such as chronic diarrhea or constipation (sometimes both), abdominal pain, excessive gas and bloating. Because the disorder causes changes in the intestine, your body may not properly absorb nutrients from food, which may cause you to lose a lot of weight even if you think you eat enough. If your condition remains unmanaged for a long time, this inadequate nutrition may cause other problems, such as osteoporosis, vitamin deficiency or anemia. Less obvious symptoms of celiac disease include large amounts of fat in the stool, fatigue and depression.

Diagnosing celiac disease

The definitive test for celiac disease requires a biopsy, or tissue sample, from the portion of the small intestine just beyond the stomach. Often it is not practical to do a biopsy, so your doctor may order a blood test to look for several antibodies that are usually found in people with celiac disease. If these tests are inconclusive, your doctor may make a tentative diagnosis based on your symptoms and ask you to eliminate gluten from your diet for a while. If your symptoms improve after eliminating gluten, your doctor may confirm the diagnosis.

What happens next

Treatment is simple. If you are diagnosed with celiac disease, you must eliminate gluten from your diet. Gluten is a protein found in all kinds of wheat, (including spelt, einkorn, kamut, triticale and semolina), rye, barley and many varieties of oats. You must avoid foods containing any of these. This is challenging at first, because these grains are often used in ways that are not obvious, such as filler, starch, binder, excipients, extenders and malt. Fortunately, more and more foods are labeled clearly as to whether they are gluten-free. It may take some time for your symptoms to subside, but some relief comes fairly quickly.

Living with celiac disease is challenging, but the condition is eminently manageable. If you follow the dietary guidelines and your doctor's instructions, you can expect considerable relief from the symptoms of celiac disease while eating well. If you suspect that you have celiac disease, please consult a qualified professional, because you do not have to live with the discomfort of celiac disease.

Often it is not practical to do a biopsy

by Nevim Baladnistam, Medical writer