What Is Celiac Disease?.

In two words, it sucks.  

Definition

Celiac disease is a medical condition in which the absorptive surface of the small intestine is damaged by a substance called gluten. This results in an inability of the body to absorb nutrients: protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, which are necessary for good health.

Symptoms

Common symptoms are anemia, chronic diarrhea, weight loss, fatigue, cramps and bloating, irritability.
Although some or all of these symptoms occur in celiac disease, some can also occur in many other diseases more common than celiac disease. In other cases, sufferers from gluten-intolerance develop an intense burning and itching rash called dermatitis herpetiformis. The intestinal symptoms of celiac disease may or may not appear in dermatitis herpetiformis. A wide range of symptoms may be present. Symptoms may appear together or singularly in children or adults. In general, the symptoms of untreated celiac disease indicate the presence of malabsorption due to the damaged small intestine.

• Digestive problems (abdominal bloating, pain, gas, diarrhea, pale stools, and weight loss)
• Iron deficiency anemia (low blood count)
• Growth problems and failure to thrive (in children)
• Seizures
• Brain Fog
• Tingling sensation in the legs (caused by nerve damage and low calcium)
• Aphthous ulcers (sores in the mouth)
• Missed menstrual periods
• Musculoskeletal problems (muscle cramps, joint and bone pain)
• Miscarriage or infertility.
• Birth defects, such as neural tube defects (improper formation of the spine) caused by poor absorption of such nutrients as folic acid.

Celiac disease can leave a person susceptible to osteoporosis, a disease that weakens bones and leads to fractures. This occurs because the person has trouble absorbing enough calcium and vitamin D.

In extreme cases bowel cancer has also been attributed to Celiac Disease.

There is a great variation in sensitivity to gluten among those with celiac disease, and although one may have no obvious symptoms, damage to the intestinal lining may still occur.

 Sources:

http://www.celiac.ca/index.php/about-celiac-disease-2/symptoms-treatment-cd/
http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/celiac-disease/celiac-disease
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/celiac/


For more on Autoimmune Diseases visit:

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v435/n7042/full/nature03723.html