Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that mainly affects the gastrointestinal tract. In people with celiac disease, an allergic reaction is triggered when gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley) is ingested. Over time, the immune reactions triggered by gluten inflame and damage small structures on the surface of the intestine.
Unmanaged celiac disease can cause uncomfortable digestive symptoms, as well as symptoms that affect other parts of the body. Some symptoms result from inflammation in the intestines, while other symptoms stem from a lack of nutrients, due to the failure of the damaged intestine to digest food properly.
The symptoms of celiac disease vary so widely that there is no such thing as a typical case. Some people with celiac disease experience mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, which can delay a medical diagnosis.
Digestive symptoms
Digestive symptoms of celiac disease are more common in children than adults. Children generally develop symptoms only after they start eating foods that contain gluten.
Digestive symptoms of celiac disease may include:
Non-digestive symptoms
Some people with celiac disease experience symptoms that affect other parts of the body. Problems associated with celiac disease or caused by poor absorption of nutrients include:
- bone or joint pain
- iron-deficiency anemia
- weight loss
- arthritis
- fatigue
- bone loss
- tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
- dermatitis herpetiformis (a skin condition characterized by extremely itchy bumps or blisters)
- depression, irritability, or mood changes
- delayed start or missed menstrual periods
- infertility or repeated miscarriages
- symptoms involving the mouth, such as canker sores
- liver disease.
How long after eating gluten can symptoms start?
The reaction and reaction time varies among individuals. Some people will have a reaction within two to three hours of gluten consumption. Others may not feel anything until the next day or a few days after, and some not at all.
Common symptoms after exposure to gluten include:
- nausea
- vomiting (very severe in some cases)
- gas/bloating
- cramps
- abdominal pain
- diarrhea
- constipation
- tiredness
- brain fog
- muscle and joint pain.
Diagnosis and treatment of celiac disease
Celiac disease should not be self-diagnosed. If you suspect you or your child has celiac disease, see a doctor.
Treatment for celiac disease is focused on eliminating gluten from the diet, which should be done in consultation with a doctor. After a person begins eating a gluten-free diet, symptoms typically improve and may go away. However, if a person consumes small amounts of gluten, symptoms may flare up.
FAQs
Do You Have Celiac Disease? The most common symptoms in adults include: Abdominal pain. Bloating and gas.
What is the number one symptom of celiac disease? ›
Do You Have Celiac Disease? The most common symptoms in adults include: Abdominal pain. Bloating and gas.
What are the 5 stages of celiac disease? ›
Celiac disease is clinically defined as classic, non-classic, subclinical, potential, and refractory.
What is the average life expectancy of someone with celiac disease? ›
A total of 828 patients (8.3%) died, with few deaths before the age of 40 years, more than half after the age of 60 years, and an average age at death of 68.6 years. Overall, mortality risk was 2-fold increased in patients with celiac disease compared with that in the general Swedish population (Table 1).
How long after eating gluten do celiac symptoms start? ›
In many cases, however, symptoms don't develop until one to twelve hours after exposure. For some, symptoms take days or even weeks to manifest. It's important to remember that even if you don't experience symptoms of gluten exposure as a celiac sufferer, your intestines could still be damaged.
What does the start of celiac feel like? ›
Some people have diarrhea and belly (abdominal) pain. Others may feel moody or depressed. Each person's symptoms may vary.
What do celiac stools look like? ›
Diarrhea caused by celiac disease is due to the maldigestion and malabsorption of nutrients. The stools might be watery or semiformed, light tan or gray, and oily or frothy. The stools have a characteristic foul odor.
What are the four markers for celiac disease? ›
Celiac Disease Tests
- tissue transglutaminase (tTG) immunoglobulin A (IgA) and tTG immunoglobulin G (IgG) tests.
- endomysial antibody (EMA) -IgA test.
- deamidated gliadin peptide (DGP) -IgA and DGP-IgG tests.
Despite awareness efforts, celiac disease is often confused with other gluten-related disorders — like non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) or a wheat allergy. Both seem similar to celiac disease, but are different conditions.
What triggers celiac disease later in life? ›
Celiac disease is caused by specific genes, eating gluten, and possibly by some other triggers such as childbirth, surgery, stress, or other autoimmune disorders. However, medical science is still working to understand the roles of these potential causal factors.
Untreated celiac disease can lead to the development of other autoimmune disorders like type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis (MS), and many other conditions, including dermatitis herpetiformis (an itchy skin rash), anemia, osteoporosis, infertility and miscarriage, neurological conditions like epilepsy and migraines, ...
Do celiac symptoms get worse with age? ›
Depending on how long the disease has been present and left untreated, it could contribute to other conditions that are more common with aging: low bone density, GI issues, and the development of some cancers. A celiac disease diagnosis later in life may also come alongside diagnosis of other autoimmune conditions.
Does celiac get progressively worse? ›
Over time, a range of problems may develop as a result of the body's reaction to gluten — from skin rashes and lactose intolerance to infertility, bone weakness and nerve damage. These can often happen even in the absence of digestive symptoms.
What does a celiac belly look like? ›
The intestines make up most of the middle and lower abdomen, so “gluten belly” will look like any other type of lower digestive tract bloating. However, if bloating seems to be a regular or constant problem, that's a possible sign that it may be due to gluten intolerance.
What are the hidden symptoms of celiac disease? ›
However, celiac disease is much more than a digestive problem. Some of the top atypical symptoms are anemia, bones disease, elevated liver enzymes, neurological problems like migraines, short stature and reproductive problems. Learn more about each on below.
What is a celiac flare-up like? ›
One individual may experience diarrhea and abdominal pain, while another may have feelings of irritability or depression. Some people show signs of the disease early in life, while others remain symptom-free well into adulthood. In certain cases, individuals with celiac disease may not exhibit any noticeable symptoms.
What are the odd symptoms of celiac disease? ›
However, celiac disease is much more than a digestive problem. Some of the top atypical symptoms are anemia, bones disease, elevated liver enzymes, neurological problems like migraines, short stature and reproductive problems.
Which classic symptom is seen in celiac disease? ›
Anemia – a decrease of red blood cells due to a lack of iron. It can lead to weakness, tiredness, and susceptibility to bruising. It is one of the most common symptoms of celiac disease. In some patients, it's severe enough to require iron transfusions, although it should resolve after going on the gluten-free diet.
What are the symptoms of silent celiac disease? ›
Silent celiac disease is also sometimes referred to as asymptomatic celiac disease due to a lack of typical symptoms, such as diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain, or other digestive issues.
What is mistaken for celiac disease? ›
Despite awareness efforts, celiac disease is often confused with other gluten-related disorders — like non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) or a wheat allergy. Both seem similar to celiac disease, but are different conditions.
