Signs That You May Have Celiac Disease

Do you often feel bloated or have an upset stomach after eating? Do you find that you are always tired, no matter how much rest you get? If so, you may be one of the millions of people who have celiac disease. Gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, can cause a wide range of symptoms in those with celiac disease. In this blog post, we will discuss what Celiac Disease is, the signs and symptoms that indicate you might have Celiac, and how to go about getting diagnosed. 

 

Gluten contains a glycoprotein called gliadin, which helps make up the gluten proteins in wheat, rye, and barley. For people with celiac disease, even a small amount of gluten triggers an immune response that can cause gastrointestinal distress and other symptoms. Celiac disease isn't a classic food allergy, in fact, there is no such thing as a gluten allergy.

Do you have symptoms after eating gluten? 

So how do you know if you or someone you know has celiac disease? We will explain everything in the next few sections. There are several telltale signs that you may have Celiac Disease. People with gluten intolerance may experience diarrhea when they consume foods with gluten, but anemia is the most common symptom of celiac disease in adults. An itchy rash called dermatitis herpetiformus is another gluten-related disorder that can go along with celiac disease. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, then it is important to see your doctor to determine if gluten is the culprit. Doctors often start with a simple blood test to check for celiac disease. If that test is positive then the diagnosis may be confirmed with an upper endoscopy. Genetic tests are not diagnostic for celiac disease.

Gluten, Gliadin, and Glutenin 

The two proteins that comprise gluten, gliadin and glutenin are found in wheat, rye, and barley and anything derived from these grains.

What Causes Celiac Disease? 

While the underlying cause is not exactly known, the cause of celiac is an abnormal response to the consumption of foods that contain gluten. People with celiac disease have a predisposition to the condition. If you have a first-degree relative that has celiac disease, then you are at a higher risk of developing it yourself. It can start at any age.  

What Kinds of Health Risks Do People With Celiac Disease Face? 

Celiac disease is a serious gluten-related condition and can lead to malnutrition and weight loss if left untreated.

Symptoms of Celiac Disease 

Below is a rundown of different symptoms people with celiac disease may experience:

• Diarrhea and/or constipation 
• Abdominal pain and/or heartburn 
• Bloating 
• Fatigue 
• Brain fog 
• Anemia 
• Joint pain 
• Depression and/or anxiety 
• Skin rashes and itchiness 
• Hormonal imbalances, such as PMS and infertility 
• Defects in tooth enamel

Some People with Celiac Disease Don't Experience All of These Symptoms 

Some people who have celiac disease may not experience physical symptoms. Even in the absence of symptoms, it is 100% important to follow a gluten-free diet if you have been diagnosed with celiac disease or dermatitis herpetiformus.

Non-Celiac Wheat Sensitivity

Gluten is not the only component of wheat that can cause GI issues. More often than gluten, the FODMAPs found in wheat are triggers for symptoms like diarrhea, constipation, abdominal cramps, bloating, and excess gas. (Read more about FODMAPs here)

If celiac disease has been ruled out, but you still feel like gluten has a bad effect on you, you might have non-celiac gluten sensitivity.

Treatments for People with Celiac Disease

The treatment for celiac disease is to adopt a gluten-free diet. If you suspect you may have celiac disease then you should be tested by a licensed clinician. This is essential because medical tests for celiac disease do not give accurate results if you are not eating gluten on a regular basis. 

If you want to adopt a gluten-free diet but do not know where to start, then you should try a gluten-free meal service. ModifyHealth’s gluten-free Mediterranean diet meals are fully prepared and can be delivered to all 50 states with free shipping.

If you would like to learn more about our gluten-free meals, then click this link: Gluten-free Meal Delivery