Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is an immune reaction to eating gluten, the group of proteins found in wheat, barley, and rye. For those suffering from celiac disease, eating gluten triggers an immune response in the small intestine, which over time produces inflammation that damages the intestinal lining and causes malabsorption (inability to absorb nutrients).

Celiac disease can cause weight loss, bloating, and diarrhea, and may deprive the brain, nervous system, bones, liver, and other organs of vital nourishment.

Celiac disease symptoms vary greatly and may include:

• Digestive problems (like diarrhea, weight loss, and constipation)
• Anemia (usually resulting from iron deficiency)
• Loss of bone density (osteoporosis) or softening of bone (osteomalacia)
• Itchy, blistery skin rash (dermatitis herpetiformis)
• Damage to dental enamel
• Headaches and fatigue
• Nervous system injury (including numbness/tingling in feet and hands, and difficulty balancing)
• Joint pain
• Impaired spleen function (hyposplenism)
• Acid reflux and heartburn

The cause of celiac disease is unknown, though certain gene changes may increase risk. Celiac disease may have its onset after surgery, pregnancy, childbirth, viral infection, or severe emotional stress.