Symptoms Of Celiac Disease

By: Lara Stewart

Break Studios Contributing Writer

Symptoms of celiac disease can make sufferers profoundly uncomfortable. Celiac disease, also known as gluten intolerance, causes damage to the small intestine of those who have the condition. Not everyone will experience all symptoms; some people will experience a few, while others will have more or more severe symptoms. Each case is individual. Among the symptoms of celiac disease are those below.

  1. Constipation. Celiac disease can cause constipation because of the damage done to the small intestine. Because a celiac disease sufferer's small intestine is damaged, it will absorb water from food when it cannot extract nutrients.
  2. Abdominal pain or bloating. This celiac disease symptom is usually caused by gas or indigestion.
  3. Diarrhea. When diarrhea is experienced as a celiac disease symptom, it can either be occasional or persistent.
  4. Floating stools. One celiac symptom is that stool will float or have a fatty appearance. This is caused by food not being digested properly.
  5. Lactose intolerance. Many people who have celiac disease are also unable to tolerate dairy products. This symptom often goes away after someone starts getting treatment for celiac disease.
  6. Lack of appetite. The physical discomfort caused by celiac disease can cause reduced appetite. However, some people with celiac disease experience enormous appetites instead as their bodies try to make up for the low amounts of nutrients being absorbed during digestion.
  7. Nausea and vomiting. Nausea is one of the body's reactions to irritation in the digestive tract. It can occur with celiac disease because of the inflammation in the intestines.
  8. Unexplained weight loss. Celiac disease sufferers often experience weight loss because their bodies are not absorbing nutrients properly.
Posted on: Apr. 04, 2011