| Celiac disease is one of the most under-diagnosed | | | | just the outward manifestation of what is actually |
| medical conditions that we know of today. There | | | | going on below the surface. That's why many of |
| are quite a few reasons for this, including the | | | | the symptoms of Celiac disease are also typical |
| large number and diverse nature of Celiac disease | | | | of many other medical conditions and why it can |
| symptoms and the lack of awareness of the | | | | be so difficult to actually pinpoint the underlying |
| disease both in the medical community and among | | | | cause. |
| the general public. While awareness of the disease | | | | The causes of the symptoms Celiacs suffer from |
| and other forms of gluten intolerance is on the | | | | are related to the way their immune system |
| rise, a conclusive diagnosis can still be difficult to | | | | attacks gluten when it enters the body. This |
| acquire. | | | | attack winds up damaging the villi that line the |
| Many Different Symptoms | | | | small intestine and allow nutrients to be absorbed |
| There are literally dozens of symptoms that | | | | into the bloodstream. This causes inflammation of |
| people with Celiac disease can exhibit. There are | | | | the digestive track, which is what leads to the |
| also people who have the disease who have no | | | | gastrointestinal symptoms that Celiacs often |
| symptoms at all. This does not mean that | | | | experience. |
| damage is not being done, however, or that these | | | | Many of the other symptoms associated with |
| people will not develop severe health problems | | | | Celiac disease are a result of basic malnutrition. |
| later in life caused by the disease. | | | | This malnutrition develops because the damaged |
| For those who do have symptoms, these can | | | | villi in the intestine can no longer absorb the |
| include things like depression, fatigue, lethargy, | | | | necessary vitamins and minerals from the foods |
| abdominal pain, chronic or recurring diarrhea, | | | | that pass through them. This cannot be remedied |
| bloating, anxiety, vertigo and joint pain. From the | | | | by taking vitamin and mineral supplements either |
| diversity of this list, it's easy to see why a | | | | because these must still be absorbed in the same |
| diagnosis of Celiac disease can be so difficult to | | | | way. |
| come by. Additionally, there are some people with | | | | What This Means for You |
| Celiac disease whose only symptom is an | | | | All of these factors combine to make it very |
| intensely itchy rash. | | | | hard to arrive at a definitive diagnosis of Celiac |
| Just like other Celiacs, these people can find relief | | | | disease. If you think you have the disease, |
| from their symptoms only by adhering to a gluten | | | | however, you should discuss your options with a |
| free diet for life. There is also damage being done | | | | doctor or nutritionist so that you know what your |
| to the gastrointestinal tract of these people even | | | | options are. Particularly if you and your doctor |
| though they show no digestive symptoms. | | | | have ruled out other conditions like Crohn's |
| The Root of the Symptoms | | | | disease and IBS, you may want to try a gluten |
| Of course, just as with any other medical | | | | free diet to see how it makes you feel. |
| condition, the symptoms of Celiac disease are | | | | |