What is celiac disease?
Celiac disease is a digestive and immune disorder where the body overreacts to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. Eating gluten causes the immune system to attack and damage the small intestine, preventing it from absorbing nutrients and leading to abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea and weight loss.
Celiac disease is common in children and adults, affecting around one in 100 people worldwide. The condition prevents your body from getting the nutrients, vitamins and minerals needed to thrive, and can affect other parts of your body, leading to long-term health problems.
Celiac disease is often confused with a wheat allergy or gluten sensitivity. However, unlike an allergy or food intolerance, celiac disease damages the digestive system. You cannot prevent or cure celiac disease, but most people can control their symptoms by following a strict gluten-free diet.
Celiac disease symptoms
Celiac disease can affect your whole body and has been associated with around 300 symptoms, which can develop at any age after you start eating gluten. Symptoms will vary from one person to another. Some tend to affect young children or adolescents, while others affect older adults.
Common symptoms of celiac disease include:
- Abdominal pain
- Anemia (due to low iron levels)
- Anxiety or depression
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children
- Bloating
- Bone or joint pain
- Constipation
- Damaged tooth enamel
- Delayed puberty in teenagers
- Developmental delay in children
- Diarrhea
- Failing to grow or gain weight in babies and children
- Fatigue
- Fretfulness or irritation in babies
- Hair loss
- Low bone density or osteoporosis
- Missed menstrual periods in women
- Mouth ulcers and sores
- Overweight or obesity in infants and children
- Weight loss
Around 15% of people with celiac disease develop dermatitis herpetiformis, a long-lasting skin condition also known as “gluten rash” or “celiac rash.” It’s caused by the same gluten antibodies that harm the small intestine. The rash is very itchy and usually shows up as clusters of small bumps or blisters, often on the elbows, knees, buttocks or scalp.
When to see a doctor
See your doctor if you experience signs or symptoms of celiac disease. The condition’s symptoms occur with many other conditions, so your primary care provider can help determine their cause and find the most appropriate treatment
What causes celiac disease?
Celiac disease is partly caused by your genes and tends to run in families. Almost everyone with the disease has variants of genes that make proteins that play a critical role in your immune system. They help distinguish proteins in your body from those produced by foreign bodies, such as viruses or bacteria.
If you have celiac disease, your immune system overreacts to a part of the gluten protein called gliadin, and this causes inflammation in your small intestine. The villi, which are small, finger-like structures lining your intestinal wall, become damaged and stop absorbing nutrients effectively.
Celiac disease risk factors
Anyone can develop celiac disease, and you can start to have symptoms at any age. However, some people are more likely than others to develop the disease. Risk factors include:
- Autoimmune disorder: If you have another autoimmune disorder, such as Type 1 diabetes, Addison’s disease or multiple sclerosis, you are more at risk.
- Chromosomal disorders: You are more likely to be affected if you have Down syndrome, Turner syndrome or Williams syndrome.
- Race and ethnicity: In the US, Celiac disease is more common among white people than those from other racial and ethnic backgrounds.
- Family history: You have around a 1 in 10 chance of developing celiac disease if a close relative (such as a parent or sibling) has the disease.
- Infection: Viral infections can sometimes trigger autoimmune disorders such as celiac disease.
- Pregnancy and childbirth: Some women find symptoms develop or get worse after giving birth. This could be linked to stress.
- Sex: More women than men have celiac disease.
Celiac disease complications
If you have celiac disease, your body may not get all the nutrients it needs to stay healthy. This can increase your chance of developing other health conditions. In some cases, your small intestine becomes so severely damaged that it cannot absorb the nutrients you need even when following a gluten-free diet.
Complications of celiac disease include:
- Anemia: Often caused by an iron deficiency, anemia occurs when your body does not produce enough red blood cells.
- Cancer of the small intestine: Celiac disease increases your risk for this rare form of cancer.
- Infertility or reproductive issues: Studies suggest a link between celiac disease and reproductive problems and pregnancy complications.
- Liver damage: In some people, celiac disease can lead to liver injury or liver failure without a clear cause, a condition which may be classified as cryptogenic cirrhosis.
- Osteoporosis: People with celiac disease often lack vitamins and minerals, such as calcium and vitamin D. Osteoporosis can develop if you don’t get enough calcium and vitamin D.
How is celiac disease diagnosed?
Getting an accurate diagnosis for celiac disease involves several steps. Your doctor will look at your health history, symptoms, and use specific tests to confirm whether gluten is causing your symptoms.
Together, these steps help your healthcare team confirm a diagnosis of celiac disease or rule it out. Getting a proper diagnosis is important for managing your symptoms, preventing complications, and improving your overall health with the right treatment plan.
Celiac disease treatment
Living with celiac disease means making important lifestyle changes and staying vigilant about your health. Since celiac disease causes your immune system to react to gluten, the main treatment is to avoid gluten completely. This helps prevent damage to your small intestine and eases symptoms like stomach pain, diarrhea and fatigue.
Treatment also involves managing any related health issues, such as nutritional deficiencies or skin conditions. With the right diet, medication and ongoing care, many people with celiac disease lead healthy, active lives. Your healthcare team will work with you to create a treatment plan tailored to your needs and help you understand how to live well with celiac disease every day.
Find specialized care for celiac disease
At Baylor Scott & White, we offer several locations for the treatment of celiac disease, including gastroenterology centers across North and Central Texas. Our experienced team is ready to provide care to help improve your quality of life. Whether you're seeking a diagnosis or require ongoing support, we're here to support you.
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