Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that can give rise to various symptoms, including digestive concerns, skin issues, nutritional deficiencies, and fatigue. All of these symptoms are triggered by gluten intake, which is a type of protein found in rye, barley, and wheat. Consequently, the immune response is set off, which further causes damage and inflammation in the small intestine.
Importantly, you must remember that celiac disease symptoms can vary from person to person. Some individuals don’t even notice any symptoms of celiac disease at all.
Here are some of the common signs and symptoms of celiac disease that you look for if you think you’re suffering from this disorder.
1. Diarrhea
Loose, watery stools are one of the first few symptoms that you may experience before getting diagnosed with celiac disease.
According to research, about 43% of individuals with celiac disease experience diarrhea. Significantly, these percentages used to be even higher before blood tests were introduced. Now blood tests are the widely used type of celiac disease test.
Luckily, following a gluten-free diet can significantly help in eliminating some celiac disease symptoms, including diarrhea. A study also proposed that individuals who follow a gluten-free diet tend to experience less diarrhea than the ones who don’t.
However, you must remember that there also can be other causes of diarrhea, like infection, food intolerance, or some intestinal issue.
2. Bloating
Another common symptom that people with celiac disease experience is bloating, Celiac disease causes inflammation in the digestive tract, which results in bloating and other digestive problems.
In a study of 85 people who were diagnosed with celiac disease, it was found that around 9% of them experienced bloating, along with other digestive issues.
Moreover, another study of 200 people with celiac disease stated that following a gluten-free diet can significantly reduce symptoms of celiac disease like bloating, and can help improve quality of life.
Importantly, consuming gluten can cause various digestive problems like bloating even for individuals who don’t have celiac disease. Hence, before you get celiac disease treatment, make sure to first get it diagnosed properly.
3. Gas
Many people with celiac disease experience excessive gas. According to a study of 130 people with celiac disease, around 47% of them experienced excessive flatulence.
However, you need to keep in mind that there can be other causes of gas as well. A study of 150 people experiencing increased gas found that only two of them tested positive for celiac disease.
4. Fatigue
Fatigue and decreased energy levels are also common things that people with celiac disease experience. A study found that people with celiac disease are very likely to have problems associated with sleep, which can lead to fatigue.
Furthermore, untreated celiac disease can damage the small intestine, which often results in mineral and vitamin deficiencies and can also lead to reduced energy levels.
5. Weight Loss
A drastic drop in weight and difficulty in managing weight are some of the earliest symptoms of celiac disease. Since your body becomes unable to absorb nutrients, it leads to weight loss and malnutrition.
