How to know if you have Celiac Disease

Celiac Disease is a disease that affects the small intestine in your body. When someone with the disease eats food or uses products that contain gluten, their body will attack itself. It believes the gluten is toxic and will start to damage the small intestine. Those who suffer from Celiac Disease are not able to absorb nutrients well because of the damage done; this causes many serious health problems. Here are a few tips and symptoms to help you know if you may suffer from Celiac Disease.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Symptoms of Celiac Disease very, depending on how much damage has been done to the small intestines. The damage done is much worse for those who have had Celiac for longer periods of time. When your body attacks the small intestine, it starts to block the nutrients your body needs to absorb. These nutrients are vital to our health and that is why the health symptoms can differ.
   
   The damage to the small intestine from Celiac Disease can be reversed. If you stick to a Gluten free diet your body will heal the small intestine and you will start to absorb the nutrients your body needs. The disease itself can be improved but you will always have it, and you will have to stick with a gluten free diet for the rest of your life

2. Remember wheat free isn't gluten free. Gluten is not just in wheat so don't buy a product just because it says wheat free. You must always check the ingredients. If this seems like a pain (and it is!) then find a local store that only sells gluten free. This way you can go in, grab what you need and save TONS of time

3. Symptoms include: excessive gas, stomach cramping and bloating, appetite increase or decrease, weight gain or loss (sometimes both), dehydration, constipation, diarrhea, sores around mouth, lip cracks in corner or mouth, very dry skin, poor night vision, fatigue, mood changes, anemia (iron deficiency), weakness, abnormal stools (loose, hard, foul smelling, light tan color, gray color)
   
   Symptoms can be different in children.
   Are they not growing, not gaining weight or losing a lot of weight for no reason? These are all symptoms of Celiac Disease in children.
   
   Symptoms in Toddlers:
   Growth issues, Diarrhea, abdominal bloating or pain
   
   If your child has symptoms from above you may want to ask a doctor about Celiac Disease.
   
   Teens:
   Teenagers may experience other issues. Basically if your teen is having worse than normal changes such as REALLY bad mood swings, meanness, difficulty in school or learning, bad memory etc. These are all normal behavior changes in a teen if they are mild. If you feel that your kid’s changes are much worse than normal and they have symptoms from above then you may want to take them in and get tested.

4. If you think you have Celiac Disease go to your doctor they will be able to diagnose you.
   
   Examinations will determine if you have symptoms, then a biopsy will confirm whether or not you have it and finally you will be placed on a gluten free diet.
   
   If you don’t want to go through the hassle and costs of tests then go gluten free for a few months (they sometimes do this in small children before they do a biopsy). If your symptoms improve then you most likely have it and should continue to eat gluten free but make sure you tell your doctor. If your symptoms don’t improve then you need to see a doctor and find out what is wrong with you.

5. Remember anything from Beer to make up can have gluten in them. Always check labels.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember wheat free isn't gluten free. MANY other things have gluten in them besides wheat, rye and flour.
• Buy from a local or online store that only sells gluten free items. It will save you hours of time. Otherwise you have to check every label-- anything from make up to beer can contain gluten.
• If you try a gluten free diet and your symptoms don't improve then you MUST see a doctor. It's better to be safe than sorry.