Celiac Disease Symptoms in Adults, Know it Now!

Celiac disease is not a very popular condition, but there is always that definite possibility that you might know of one suffering from this condition. In this article, we will be talking about the basics of celiac disease, celiac disease symptoms and treatment methods. This is very important since celiac disease, if not spotted early, may cause a lot of complications later in life.

Celiac disease is a congenital condition that affects one's digestive system. There is a damage that occurs in the lining of the small intestines, leading to the malabsorption of nutrients. This can be likened to an allergic condition where the allergen will cause damage to the small intestines. In celiac disease, the perpetrator would be gluten. Gluten is a major component in most breads, pastries and cakes. It is mainly found in barley, oats, rye and wheat.

As mentioned earlier, when you ignore the symptoms of gluten-intolerance, it can lead to malnutrition in children. For adults, there is a definite possibility of developing cancer of the lymph nodes, or lymphoma. In some cases, it can also lead to cancer of the small intestines and the esophagus.

To spot gluten-intolerance symptoms, you must familiarize yourself with the list below. Mind you, the symptoms of celiac disease are very vague, therefore, a proper diagnosis will require diagnostic tests to confirms your doctor's suspicions. The list for the most common symptoms of celiac disease would include the following: diarrhea, weight loss, steatorrhea, anemia and weakening of the bones. Other symptoms of gluten-intolerance would be anemia, hair loss, amenorrhea or missed periods for women, fatigue, mouth sores, teeth problems and delayed growth.

The manifestation of this condition differs with the age of onset. In infants, you would be able to observe diarrhea, irritability, and muscle wasting. Children will be exhibiting the same symptoms and are usually short in height. Once treated though, they would be able to catch up with their normal height. Adults may be the hardest to diagnose for some of them might be asymptomatic. That means they may not be exhibiting any symptoms at all. For others, the symptoms may be too mild to be noticed, like bloating and increased flatulence. Not all adults will have diarrhea and steatorrhea.

As you can very well see, the symptoms of gluten-intolerance are too general and too vague. Patients would need to have certain laboratory tests done in order to have their condition properly diagnosed. Common laboratory exams for celiac disease will include a small intestine biopsy and antibody tests.

There are three antibody tests that a person would need to take in order to be diagnosed with gluten-intolerance. Those would be the antigliadin antibody test, anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody test, and the endomysial antibody test. A positive result would be required to cement the diagnosis.

The small intestine biopsy will have to be the most accurate test for gluten-intolerance because in this procedure, a piece of the small intestine will be removed and examined for the loss or damage of villi. Samples will be taken through an EGD or an esophagogastroduodenoscopy.

Though this condition is considered to be quite rare, it always pays to be informed. If you know of someone who exhibits the symptoms mentioned above, they should be taken to the doctor immediately to prevent further malnutrition.

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Signs of Celiac Disease, How is it treated?

Celiac disease is a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. People who have celiac disease cannot tolerate a protein called gluten, found in wheat, rye, and barley. Gluten is found mainly in foods but may also be found in products we use every day, such as stamp and envelope adhesive, medicines, and vitamins.

Eventually, decreased absorption of nutrients (malabsorption) can cause vitamin deficiencies that deprive your brain, peripheral nervous system, bones, liver and other organs of vital nourishment, which can lead to other illnesses. The decreased nutrient absorption that occurs in celiac disease is especially serious in children, who need proper nutrition to develop and grow.

How did get celiac disease?

Celiac disease runs in the family. You inherited the tendency to get this disease from your parents. If 1 member of your family has celiac disease, about 1 out of 10 other members of your family is likely to have it. You may have this tendency for a while without getting sick. Then something like severe stress, physical injury, infection, childbirth or surgery can "turn on" your celiac disease.

Signs & Symptoms of Celiac Disease

Celiac disease affects each person differently. Symptoms may occur in the digestive system, or in other parts of the body. One person might have diarrhea and abdominal pain, while another person may be irritable or depressed. Irritability is one of the most common symptoms in children. Some people have no symptoms.

The three major categories of dietary nutrients are carbohydrates, proteins, and fat. Absorption of all of these nutrients can be reduced in celiac disease; however, fat is the most commonly and severely affected nutrient. Most of the gastrointestinal symptoms and signs of celiac disease are due to the inadequate absorption of fat (fat malabsorption). Gastrointestinal symptoms of fat malabsorption include diarrhea, malodorous flatulence (foul smelling gas), abdominal bloating, and increased amounts of fat in the stool (steatorrhea).

Symptoms of celiac disease may or may not occur in the digestive system. For example, one person might have diarrhea and abdominal pain, while another person has irritability or depression. In fact, irritability is one of the most common symptoms in children.

How is Celiac Disease treated?

Once the diagnosis of celiac disease (CD) has been confirmed, treatment can begin immediately. It does not require surgery. It does not require an unending dependence on medication. It does not even require repeated visits to the doctor's office. The best and only known treatment for CD is simply this: a lifelong elimination of "gluten".

Celiac disease is treated by avoiding all foods that contain gluten. Gluten is what causes inflammation in the small bowel. When this is removed from the diet, the bowel will heal and return to normal. Medications are not normally required to treat CD except in occasional patients who do not respond to a gluten free diet.

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