Celiac Disease

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Signs and Symptoms

Celiac disease usually causes general gastrointestinal discomfort. Symptoms may include the following:

• Abdominal cramps
• Bloating
• Constipation
• Diarrhea (occasional or persistent)
• Gas
• Itchy, blistering rash on the elbows, knees, and buttocks (called dermatitis herpetiformis, or DH, which is a reaction to gluten in the system)
• Lactose intolerance (difficulty digesting milk or foods made with milk)
• Loss of appetite
• Mood changes, depression
• Stomach pain
• Stool that is oily or has a gray tinge
• Weakness or fatigue
• Weight loss

In children, signs of celiac disease may include the above symptoms, as well as the following:

• Distention of the stomach (potbelly)
• Difficulty concentrating and learning
• Flat buttocks
• Irritability
• Low percentile for height and weight (i.e., not growing as expected for age group)
• Paleness

Several complications can occur in patients with celiac disease, as a result of the body's inability to absorb vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.

Complications include the following:

• Birth defects (in babies born to mothers with undiagnosed celiac disease)
• Miscarriage
• Osteoporosis
• Short stature
• Slowed growth (in children)

Over time, if a patient with celiac disease does not adopt a strict, gluten-free diet, damage to the small intestine can lead to more serious complications, such as cancer of the intestinal organs (e.g., colorectal cancer).

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