Gastrointestinal Symptoms from Celiac Disease

    Celiac Disease is a serious condition that leads to damage to the small intestine. Following a gluten-free diet is one of the primary treatments for Celiac Disease. Before following a gluten-free diet, people with the condition can suffer from abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal symptoms. Blood tests can be used to determine if there are antibodies linked with Celiac Disease in the body, as well as biopsies of the small intestine to look for any damage to the intestinal tract. Gluten has to be eaten often in order to have accurate results. It is important to see a doctor before cutting gluten from the diet. Both adults and children can suffer from Celiac Disease, but children will have worse stomach issues. Adults, unlike children, can have symptoms such as stomach ulcers, anemia, rashes, and even infertility. Approximately half of adults with Celiac Disease experience diarrhea as being their most common symptom. Research has shown that gluten-free diets can improve gastrointestinal symptoms in most patients. Although the diet helps, the time it takes to see results vary from patient to patient and it is estimated that thirty percent of patients still experience some sort of stomach issue, even after following a gluten-free diet for a few months. The biggest reason people still have gastrointestinal issues is that they are consuming gluten accidentally. Registered dietitians can provide patients with knowledge of what to look out for on nutrition labels as well as tips on meeting nutrition goals. They can also rule out other health conditions that could be causing gastrointestinal problems. Diseases such as lactose intolerance, pancreatic insufficiency, and intestinal bacterial overgrowth have symptoms that mimic the symptoms of Celiac Disease.

For more information, visit: https://www.eatright.org/health/diseases-and-conditions/celiac-disease/celiac-disease-alleviating-gastrointestinal-symptoms