May is Celiac Disease Awareness Month

May is Celiac Disease Awareness Month

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease caused by eating gluten. Gluten is found in wheat, barley, and rye.

When people with celiac disease eat gluten, their immune system sees gluten as a threat and mounts an attack but this attack ends up damaging the villi of the small intestine. Damaged villi do not allow the body to absorb nutrients, leading to malnourishment and many other issues.

Celiac disease symptoms vary among individuals.  

There are over 300 different symptoms that people with celiac disease may present with.  Some common symptoms include:

• Anemia

• Anxiety/Depression

• Bloating or gas

• Brain fog

• Constipation

• Delayed growth in children

• Diarrhea

• Fatigue

• Headaches or migraines

• Infertility

• Irritability

• Itchy skin rash 

• Joint pain

• Mouth sores

• Poor weight gain

• Vomiting

Do you think you or your child may have celiac disease? Please speak to your doctor about getting tested. 

Remember, it is very important to not start a gluten-free diet prior to testing for celiac disease.