Celiac disease (also known as coeliac disease or celiac sprue) is the name of a condition in which the body’s own immune system overreacts to gluten, a protein found in many common carbohydrate foods made out of wheat such as cereal, bread, and pasta.

How does celiac disease affect the body?

Over time, this immune reaction to gluten damages the small intestine, where most nutrients are absorbed into the body. Eventually the body becomes malnourished no matter how much food is eaten, because the body can no longer absorb enough of the nutrients in the food.

What are the symptoms of celiac disease?

The symptoms of celiac disease can be very different from person to person. The disease affects the digestive system as well as other body systems that you might not expect. The most common gastrointestinal (digestive) symptoms of celiac disease are weight loss and diarrhea, but can also include:

• Abdominal bloating
• Abdominal pain
• Constipation
• Unusual stool (ex. pale, greasy bowel movements)
• Vomiting

Other symptoms may include:

• Fatigue (or “brain fog”)
• Headaches
• Bone or joint pain
• Iron-deficiency anemia (low blood cell count due to low iron)
• Loss of bone density (Osteoporosis)
• Depression and anxiety
• Canker sores in the mouth
• Tingling and numbness in hands and feet
• Itchy skin rash (called dermatitis herpetiformis)

Younger people suffering from celiac disease while they are growing may also experience:

• Delayed growth and stature
• Delayed puberty
• Dental problems including defects of the enamel (the hard, white visible part of the tooth)

However, celiac disease can also be “asymptomatic,” meaning that a person does not exhibit any of these symptoms.

How common is celiac disease?

Celiac disease occurs in about 1 in 133 people.

What causes celiac disease?

The exact cause of celiac disease is unknown but scientists do know that it is an autoimmune disorder, it runs in families, and certain environmental factors such as a viral infection, pregnancy and childbirth may trigger the disease in someone who is already at risk.

How is celiac disease diagnosed?

Celiac disease can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are often similar to the symptoms of other medical conditions. If a person is thought to have celiac disease, either due to symptoms or because a close family member has been diagnosed, they will likely need to have a:

• blood test
• biopsy of the small intestine

What is an endoscopy?

An endoscopy is a procedure that allows a doctor to look at the small intestine with a very thin flexible instrument that has a tiny camera at the end, called an endoscope. The instrument allows the doctor to look for inflammation and/or destruction of the lining of the small intestine. The patient will receive medicine that will cause drowsiness (so you are not awake during this!). The endoscope is inserted through the patient’s mouth, all the way to the small intestine where a small piece of tissue can be removed (called a biopsy) and viewed in more detail.

How is celiac disease treated?

Since the symptoms of celiac disease are caused by a reaction to gluten, the only treatment is to completely avoid eating and drinking foods and beverages that contain gluten. Complete elimination of gluten from the diet generally allows the small intestine to heal and enables the body to properly absorb the nutrients from food. This “gluten-free diet” must be maintained for the patient’s lifetime –eating gluten at any point will mean damage to the small intestine and a return of symptoms. Even if a person is asymptomatic, if they are diagnosed with celiac disease they must follow a gluten-free diet in order to prevent lasting damage to the intestines which can put them at greater risk for developing colon cancer and other medical issues later in life.

Many foods are naturally gluten free such as fruit, vegetables, dairy, meat, beans, nuts, tofu, and fish. There are many gluten-free versions of other foods such as pasta, bread, and crackers that you can find in regular grocery stores and specialty markets. Learning how to follow a gluten-free diet can be challenging at first but feeling better is worth it! If you are diagnosed with celiac disease, it can be helpful to meet with a dietitian, who can teach you how to eat safely at home and in restaurants, and help create an individual gluten-free meal plan for you.