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Symptoms of celiac disease can vary. In children, the most common symptoms include stomach bloating and pain, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, odiferous bowel movements, and/or weight loss.
Adult symptoms are quite different than those that children experience and may include anemia, fatigue, bone or joint pain, arthritis, osteoporosis, depression or anxiety, tingling numbness in the hands and feet, seizures, skipped menstrual periods, infertility or recurrent miscarriage, canker sores in the mouth, and/or an itchy, blistering rash called dermatitis herpetiformis. -
Celiac disease can be difficult to diagnose, because so many of its symptoms overlap with symptoms of other diseases. For this reason, celiac disease often goes undiagnosed or is misdiagnosed.
Celiac disease can be diagnosed with a blood test, since those who have this disease have higher levels of anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies (tTGA), proteins that react against the body's own cells or tissues. Sometimes, physicians also opt to perform an intestinal biopsy.
The presence of dermatitis herpetiformis can also help doctors confirm a diagnosis. -
The treatment for celiac disease is maintaining a lifelong gluten-free diet. Newly diagnosed patients often work with a dietitian to learn how to adjust their eating habits. This is a substantial life change, since gluten appears in most baked goods, alcohols, cereals, pastas and breads. Gluten is also present in some medications, mouthwashes and preservatives.
When a patient follows a gluten-free diet, most symptoms resolve in a few days, and any intestinal damage beings to heal. - The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases is conducting research on celiac disease. Topics include new diagnostic methods, potential drug treatments and improved medical education to raise awareness of this often misdiagnosed condition.
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More than 2 million Americans (about 1 in 133) have celiac disease. The ratio is much lower--1 in 22 persons--for those with a first-degree relative (a parent, sibling or child) who has the disease.
Celiac disease is also more common among those with Down syndrome and/or Turner syndrome.
