Celiac Disease Symptoms
 Celiac disease symptoms can vary from person to person. This digestive condition, which causes people who eat gluten to experience a negative reaction, has a variety of symptoms that can mimic ailments such as irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, gastric ulcers, parasite infections, and skin disorders. Celiac disease is also commonly confused with a gulten intolerance, but they are two very different conditions.
People who suffer from celiac disease may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Unexplained weight loss or weight gain
- Unexplained anemia
- Missed menstrual periods
- Grayish, foul-smelling stools that appear fatty or oily
- An overwhelming lack of energy
- Depression and/or irritability
- Bloating and/or abdominal pain
- Joint pain
- Mouth sores
- Skin rashes
Although celiac disease symptoms can vary, your family's history can help pinpoint whether you may have the disease. Studies have indicated that if any immediate family members have celiac disease, you have a 5-15 percent chance of developing the illness. You are also more likely to develop the ailment if you have type I diabetes, microscopic colitis, autoimmune thyroid disease, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, eczema, and osteoporosis.
If you eat foods that contain wheat, barley or rye, and experience celiac disease symptoms, consult your physician. Your doctor will administer a blood test for a diagnosis, but he or she may also examine a tiny portion of your small intestine to check for any damage.
Although there isn't a cure for celiac disease, changing your diet is an effective way to treat it. This means eliminating gluten from your daily intake. Once this occurs, any inflammation found in your small intestine will likely decrease within days or weeks, depending on the severity of your condition. You may also need to take vitamin and mineral supplements if you have severe nutritional deficiencies. It will take several months to a few years for your small intestine to heal completely.
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