

Causes of Celiac Disease
Celiac disease results from a genetically-induced allergy. Foods that contain gluten trigger the immune response and include cereal grains such as wheat, rye and barley contain gluten. Be aware that many processed foods contain gluten to enhance flavoring and protein content.
Symptoms of Celiac Disease
Symptoms of celiac disease can be identified in one of two categories. The first consist of the intestinal symptoms — bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, steathorrea, flatulence and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. The second category of symptoms consists of health and medical complications resulting from regular gluten consumption. Common complications associated with celiac disease include dermatitis herpatiformis, osteoporosis, weight loss and fatigue. Recent research has associated gluten consumption to additional chronic, and in some cases very serious, medical conditions.
Dangers of Celiac Disease
Individuals with celiac disease who continue to consume gluten regularly put themselves at risk of more serious conditions. Some of these more serious conditions include:
1. Brain Injury
Studies have found individuals suffering from Celiac Disease present brain abnormalities and damage to the nervous system. [2] Lesions similar to those found on patients with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) have even been observed. [3]
2. Chronic Headaches
Headaches and migraines can occur with regular frequency as a result of damage to, and the malfunctioning of, the nervous system. [4]
3. Seizures
Damage to the brain and nervous system resulting from autoimmune response to gluten consumption can manifest in the form of seizures. [5]
4. Height
Male children who develop with Celiac Disease have been found to attain a shorter stature than their peers. There is good news. For boys who have Celiac Disease that adhere to a gluten-free diet, ‘catch-up’ growth can occur. [6]
Celiac Disease has been associated with other serious problem, including hearing problems, inadequate nutrient absorption and early onset cardio vascular disease.[7] [8] [9] Ultimately, if celiac disease is even suspected, a medical evaluation should be sought.
What Can Be Done?
As celiac disease is a gluten allergy, the easiest solution is to adopt a gluten free diet. Research shows that conditions of celiac disease are potentially reversible once a gluten free diet is adopted. Some people have also found additional support by taking probiotics to support their digestive system.
Has celiac disease affected you or someone you know? Please leave a comment below and share your experience with us.
References (9)
- Ludvigsson JF, Leffler DA, Bai JC, Biagi F, Fasano A, Green PH, Hadjivassiliou M, Kaukinen K, Kelly CP, Leonard JN, Lundin KE, Murray JA, Sanders DS, Walker MM, Zingone F, Ciacci C. The Oslo definitions for coeliac disease and related terms. Gut. 2013 Jan;62(1):43-52. doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2011-301346. Epub 2012 Feb 16.
- Bilgic B, Aygun D, Arslan AB, Bayram A, Akyuz F, Sencer S, Hanagasi HA. Silent neurological involvement in biopsy-defined coeliac patients. Neurol Sci. 2013 Apr 25.
- Brown KJ, Jewells V, Herfarth H, Castillo M. White matter lesions suggestive of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis attributed to celiac disease. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2010 May;31(5):880-1. doi: 10.3174/ajnr.A1826. Epub 2009 Nov 12.
- Ford RP. The gluten syndrome: a neurological disease. Med Hypotheses. 2009 Sep;73(3):438-40. doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2009.03.037. Epub 2009 Apr 29.
- Devinsky O, Schein A, Najjar S. Epilepsy associated with systemic autoimmune disorders. Epilepsy Curr. 2013 Mar;13(2):62-8. doi: 10.5698/1535-7597-13.2.62.
- Sonti R, Lebwohl B, Lewis SK, Abu Daya H, Klavan H, Aguilar K, Green PH. Men with celiac disease are shorter than their peers in the general population. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2013 Jun 5.
- Solmaz F, Unal F, Apuhan T. Celiac disease and sensorineural hearing loss in children. Acta Otolaryngol. 2012 Feb;132(2):146-51. doi: 10.3109/00016489.2011.635384.
- Martin J, Geisel T, Maresch C, Krieger K, Stein J. Inadequate nutrient intake in patients with celiac disease: results from a german dietary survey. Digestion. 2013;87(4):240-6. doi: 10.1159/000348850. Epub 2013 Jun 6.
- De Marchi S, Chiarioni G, Prior M, Arosio E. Young adults with coeliac disease may be at increased risk of early atherosclerosis. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2013 Jul;38(2):162-9. doi: 10.1111/apt.12360. Epub 2013 Jun 3.
Related Posts
Share this:
- Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
- Click to print (Opens in new window)
- Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on StumbleUpon (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)
13 thoughts on “What is Celiac Disease?”