Celiac Disease: Abdominal Pain & Other Digestive Issues
There are a wide variety of symptoms that come with celiac disease. This includes abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea, and indigestion or gas. Many of these symptoms are often overlooked, however, they are all linked to celiac disease.
But what exactly is celiac disease? Well basically, it’s when your immune system reacts to foods with gluten, a protein found in grains like wheat, barley, or rye. So what are some common symptoms of celiac disease? What are some treatment options for celiac disease?
1. Celiac Disease
Before we get into the symptoms, let’s talk about celiac disease in more depth. Celiac disease is a permanent intolerance to gluten that results in damage to the small intestine and is reversible with the avoidance of dietary gluten.
When people with celiac disease eat foods or use products containing gluten, their immune system responds by damaging the small intestine, specifically, the lining of the small intestine also known as villi. Villi are extremely important, as they allow nutrients from food to be absorbed into the bloodstream.
So without healthy villi, a person becomes malnourished, regardless of the quantity of food eaten. Celiac disease is often genetically linked, however, sometimes the disease is triggered after surgery, pregnancy, childbirth, viral infection, or severe emotional stress.
2. The Symptoms
Researchers estimate that 97% of people who have celiac disease remain undiagnosed and untreated. This is likely because many other diseases, including Chron’s and IBS, have similar symptoms.
While symptoms may vary, here are the most common symptoms of celiac disease:
- Excessive gas and bloating
- Chronic diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Anemia
- Loss of bone density and joint pain
- Missed menstrual cycles
- Delayed growth if in child
- Acid reflux and heartburn
- Irritability
These are only a few symptoms, as symptoms widely vary. Additionally, kids with celiac disease may be more likely to vomit and have diarrhea or not be very hungry.
3. Treatment
The only real treatment for celiac disease is a gluten-free diet. Basically, not eating any foods that contain wheat (including spelt, triticale, and Kamut), rye, and barley. However, strict adherence to a gluten-free diet can be a bit challenging.
Thankfully there are many gluten-free items and amazing gluten-free recipes that can help make the transition to a gluten-free diet less difficult. If you follow a gluten-free diet closely, then you should notice rapid improvement of symptoms and healing of the intestines.
The Takeaway: Celiac Disease: Abdominal Pain & Other Digestive Issues
All in all, there are a wide variety of symptoms of celiac disease. Make sure to consult your doctor if you have diarrhea or digestive discomfort that lasts for more than two weeks.
If you are interested in finding more remedies to help in the recovery process, I encourage you to schedule an appointment with one of our trusted practitioners at SHIN Wellness. We offer many other holistic treatments such as decompression therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic, neurofeedback, psychology, reiki, nutrition, massage, rolfing and corrective exercise. If you need some help figuring out what service is right for you, try our personalized consultation. Our Wellness Center and Chiropractor office in Miami Florida specializes in restoring your health!
