Celiac disease affects one in 133 Americans. That’s about one percent of the U.S. population. This autoimmune disorder normally causes digestive health issues, but symptoms can also be found outside of digestive health.
Celiac Disease is Genetic
Did you know that celiac disease could be genetically inherited? Eating gluten, such as rye, wheat, barley, often causes celiac disease. In fact, if you have a family member who has celiac disease, you have a 1 in 22 chance of having it too.
How do you know you have celiac disease? It is definitely hard to diagnose. Let’s take a closer look at the signs and symptoms you can be on the lookout for.
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Celiac Disease Symptoms
There are actually over 200 symptoms. For adults, these symptoms will not always be digestive issues. From malabsorption to neurological, symptoms of this disease can be tricky to pinpoint.
Intestinal Symptoms:
- Stomach pain
- Bloating
- Diarrhea
- Intestinal blockage
- Intestine and stomach ulcers
Malabsorption Symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Anemia (iron deficiency)
- Weight loss
- Joint pain
- Arthritis and osteoporosis
- Hair loss
- Loss of appetite
Neurological Symptoms:
- Tingling or pain in hands and feet
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Migraines and headaches
- Seizures
Reproductive Symptoms:
- Period problems (missed periods)
- Impotence
- Early onset menopause
- Infertility
- Miscarriages
Celiac Symptoms Vary By Person
One of the most frustrations doctors share is that celiac disease symptoms vary by person. There are, however, factors that can explain some of the irregular symptoms people experience.
Factors include:
- Length of breastfeeding (longer breastfeeding leads to late onset symptoms)
- Age when you began eating gluten foods
- The amount of gluten you consume
- Damage done by the disease
- Your age
Are You Experiencing Symptoms?
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, it may be time to talk to a doctor. You may not have celiac disease, but you may have a health issue that shares the disease’s symptoms.
If you have questions, our doctors have answers. Our FREE Dr. Chat makes talking to a general physician doctor easy. You can do it from your home, office, during your commute, and more. Simply click below and begin chatting with a doctor in minutes.
