Is Gluten Your Number One Enemy? Don’t Ignore These Early Signs of Celiac Disease!

Are you always feeling bloated? Are you tired of dealing with digestion problems? Boating, diarrhea, and fatigue are the most common symptoms of celiac disease, but not the only ones you should pay attention to!

Over 2 million people in the United States are dealing with Celiac disease. It’s when your body can’t process gluten, a protein found in most foods such as bread, cookies, and spaghetti. So, if you are suffering from gluten intolerance, to avoid feeling bad, you should opt for gluten-free options.

There are plenty of options to pick from which is good news. But is a diet adjustment really necessary in your case? Let’s discover together the symptoms of celiac disease, how it can be distinguished from gluten intolerance, and when you should see your doctor.

What is Celiac Disease?

Celiac Disease is an autoimmune digestive disorder in which gluten causes significant changes in some people’s bodies. Basically, the lining of the small intestine is attacked and damaged by the immune system. Finger-like projections that help the body absorb nutrients are damaged, leading to serious health problems such as anemia, osteoporosis, infertility, and chronic fatigue.

Unfortunately, Celiac disease is difficult to diagnose. Its signs are difficult to pinpoint, considering the various symptoms you may experience in case you have it.

The only way you can treat Celiac disease is to stay away from gluten! This way, you can help keep your gut healthy. Anemia and iron deficiency are the other 2 common symptoms that can indicate a bigger problem in your body. Also, keep in mind that if you are experiencing these symptoms, it doesn’t mean that you have the disease but it’s essential to talk to a doctor and find out what is going on.

Here are some symptoms you should pay attention to:

1. Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain and discomfort are normal for those dealing with celiac disease. But the reason why the pain occurs is still not completely understood and unfortunately, most of the time, the severity of symptoms doesn’t correlate with the amount of internal damage from celiac.

2. Bloating

Bloating has many causes, but it’s very common for those dealing with gluten intolerance or celiac disease. If this symptom persists, you should see a doctor as soon as possible, since it may signal more serious problems. Keep in mind that untreated celiac disease can significantly change the way food travels through the digestive tract. It causes food to become backed up in the stomach, leading to painful bloating.

3. Diarrhea

Diarrhea can be a serious problem for celiac disease patients because it happens when the bowels have a problem absorbing liquids. The damage to the gastrointestinal tract can cause other changes too. For example, the poop can become pale in color, fattier, and that is when you should speak to a doctor.

4. Unintentional weight loss

If your small intestine can’t absorb nutrients from carbohydrates, proteins, and fats it means that gluten damages the lining of the intestinal tract. Without enough calories, it can be really difficult for people with celiac disease to maintain a normal weight. As you already know, unintentional weight loss is a common symptom of health conditions that cause malnutrition. So, having this symptom as a celiac disease patient is completely normal.

5. Iron-deficiency anemia

If the body can’t absorb nutrients, you are most likely to deal with iron deficiency. According to the American Society of Hematology, in case you have iron-deficiency anemia, you may also experience fatigue, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and pale skin. That’s not all! You can also experience some strange symptoms such as ringing in the ears and an intense desire to chew on ice.

6. An itchy rash

An immune response in the skin is caused by the antibodies associated with celiac disease. It’s known as dermatitis herpetiformis. The inflammation usually appears on the limbs and torso and can lead to lesions. The good news is that only 10% of celiac disease patients are experiencing this rash… which is pretty memorable. You’ll sure know if you had it.

7. Chronic fatigue

The feeling of tiredness and exhaustion is very normal for celiac disease patients, considering that their bodies can’t properly absorb nutrients. In case you are feeling tired, even though you sleep through the night, and also experience other symptoms found on this list you are likely to have a severe gluten intolerance.

8. Reproductive issues

Untreated celiac disease can lead to issues with your reproductive health. Changes in menstruation are very common and normal for people with celiac disease as well as significant changes in sperm health for men. So, if you feel that something is not working well in your body, make sure you speak to your doctor.

9. Osteoporosis

If your small intestine can’t absorb Vitamin D, Osteoporosis may occur, leading to bones becoming weak and more susceptible to breaking. The most common symptoms are changes in height, bone fractures, and unexpected back pain. The National Institute of Arthritis Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases encourages all celiac disease patients to carefully follow their treatments and strictly respect their gluten-free diet in order to avoid other unexpected side effects.

10. Mood changes

Are you feeling anxious and depressed? These are other symptoms of the celiac disease. Your brain needs nutrients and it’s very hard for it to work properly without absorbing them from the food you eat, leading to all kinds of problems in your body. Unfortunately, people with chronic illnesses are at a higher risk of developing mental health conditions like depression.

Gluten intolerance vs. Celiac disease

Wheat allergy and non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) are other health conditions linked to problems with gluten. All of them are usually called “gluten intolerance”. Their symptoms are very similar, with the exception that no damage is done to the small intestine in the case of NCGS and simple wheat allergy.

So, keep in mind that celiac disease and gluten intolerance are different health issues but both can be kept under control with a gluten-free diet.

Can you live a long life if you are dealing with celiac disease?

Even though switching to a gluten-free diet can be hard, you can definitely live a long and happy life, even though you are a celiac disease patient. Just make sure that you follow your treatment and properly take care of your body.

Are you newly diagnosed and don’t know what to cook? It can be overwhelming initially, but you will get used to it. We have a great recommendation for you that will make the transition easier: Celiac Disease Cookbook for the Newly Diagnosed: Guidance and Easy Recipes for a Gluten-Free Diet. The book can be found on Amazon and it has great reviews. With the right information and support you can easily adapt to a gluten-free diet and feel great at the same time.

First, you should start by reading about how gluten affects the body, then it can be easier for you to understand the role of the 75 recipes you can find in the book. After you try some of the recipes, come back to the comment section and let us know all the information about your purchase. Was it worth it? Did the book help you deal with the new diagnosis?

Are you interested in learning more about this topic? You should also read: 17 Warning Signs You Might Be Gluten Intolerant.