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).
Physician-developed and -monitored.
Original Date of Publication: 29 Feb 2008
Reviewed by: Stanley J. Swierzewski, III, M.D.
Last Reviewed:
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