In honor or Celiac Awareness Month, this week’s post offers some information about non-intuitive signs and symptoms of celiac disease. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that is triggered by eating gluten, a protein found in wheat. When people with celiac disease eat gluten, their immune system responds by damaging the finger-like projections, called villi, of the small intestine. When these villi are damaged, the body is unable to absorb nutrients as effectively, which leads to malnourishment. Like other autoimmune conditions, if left untreated, celiac disease can have major health consequences.
Not all symptoms of celiac disease involve digestive discomfort. In fact, about 50% of adults newly diagnosed with celiac disease have symptoms outside of the digestive tract!
Some of the most common symptoms of celiac disease include:
Brain fog
Fatigue
Bloating
Diarrhea or constipation
Mouth sores
Irritability
Acne
Frequent miscarriages
Eczema
Headaches
Hypothyroidism
Muscle and joint aches
Anemia
If you suspect you have celiac disease, it is important to get tested before following a gluten-free diet. The test for celiac is accurate only when regularly consuming gluten.
If you have any questions regarding testing or overall wellness with autoimmune conditions, please schedule an appointment at QCNH.
