Celiac Long-term and Symptoms

May is Celiac Disease Awareness Month

Celiac disease is a genetic autoimmune disorder in which the ingestion of gluten, the protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, leads to serious damage in the small intestine, creating long-term health complications.

Celiac disease can develop at any age.

People with celiac disease have a 2x greater risk of heart disease, and a 4x greater risk of developing small intestine cancers.

Long-term effects of untreated Celiac disease include:

• Iron deficiency anemia
• Coronary artery disease
• Early onset osteoporosis or osteopenia
• Type I diabetes
• Migraines
• Poor growth
• Infertility and miscarriage
• Central and peripheral nervous system disorders
• Pancreatic insufficiency
• Gall bladder malfunction
• Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma 
• Esophageal cancer
• Thyroid cancer
• Melanoma

Symptoms of Celiac disease:

There are more than 200 known Celiac disease symptoms. 

Celiac disease symptoms can occur in the digestive tract or other parts of the body. 

Adult symptoms of Celiac disease:

• unexplained iron-deficiency anemia
• fatigue
• bone or joint pain
• arthritis
• osteoporosis or osteopenia 
• liver and biliary tract disorders 
• depression or anxiety
• peripheral neuropathy 
• migraines
• seizures
• missed menstrual periods
• infertility or recurrent miscarriage
• canker sores inside the mouth
• dermatitis herpetiformis 

Child symptoms of Celiac disease:

• abdominal bloating and pain
• chronic diarrhea
• vomiting
• constipation
• pale, foul-smelling, or fatty stool
• iron-deficiency anemia
• weight loss
• fatigue
• irritability and behavioral issues
• dental enamel defects of the permanent teeth
• delayed growth and puberty
• short stature
• failure to thrive
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

If you think you or your child might have celiac disease, speak to your doctor about testing.