If you feel nasty right after or a few days after consuming anything with gluten, then this article is for you. Below you will come across some signs that you may be suffering from celiac disease.
You cannot talk about celiac disease without ever mentioning gluten, which is a kind of protein that is found exclusively in wheat, rye and barley, as well as the wheat-rye fusion called triticale. That’s because gluten is the reason why celiac disease happens in the first place.
In some people, gluten can cause the immune system to spring into action and attack the small intestines. When such happens, the so-called villi found throughout the inner lining of the small intestines become damaged.
Having the villi damaged is terrible news because your villi are the ones that make it possible for your body to absorb the nutrients found in the food you eat. Needless to say, having celiac disease can leave you suffering from a variety of symptoms that have something to do with the digestive system.
Did you know that celiac disease may also cause problems that cannot be directly associated with the digestive system? In fact, doctors say that there are nearly 300 different signs and symptoms that can be linked to celiac disease, and many of them have nothing to do with digestion.
If you are suspecting that you have celiac disease, read on. Below you will find just a few of the signs that may reveal that you are actually suffering from the said problem which is estimated to affect 1 percent of the population:
Abdominal Distention
Did someone just congratulate you for being in the family way but you’re not pregnant? Have you been told that you have a prominent beer belly although you are not fond of drinking beer and other alcoholic beverages? Then you may be suffering from celiac disease. Those who have it tend to have a lot of gas, causing their tummies to bulge big time! It’s also associated with pain and discomfort, and of course plenty of breaking wind.
Constant Diarrhea
Those who have celiac disease have to rush to the bathroom more often than usual because of having loose stools for long periods all the time, particularly after consuming gluten-containing foods. Diarrhea associated with celiac disease is often explosive, painful and really smelly! Because of having chronic diarrhea, another issue that’s really embarrassing may come into being, and that’s hemorrhoids.
Bouts of Constipation
Some people with celiac disease are actually bugged by constipation. That’s because the body slows down the movement of digested food particles along the gut as the small intestines are having a challenging time obtaining the nutrients found in them. This results in hardened feces that are difficult to pass. It all depends on the body of someone with celiac disease if he or she will suffer from constipation or diarrhea after ingesting anything with gluten.
Weight Changes
It’s also a case-to-case basis whether you will lose or gain pounds if you have celiac disease. The body of a person who is suffering from celiac disease may fail to obtain the various nutrients it needs, thus it drops some pounds. Another person who has celiac disease may actually gain extra pounds as his or her body tries to compensate for the insufficiency in nutrients by making the individual feel hungry most of the time.
Chronic Fatigue
Because the body fails to obtain calories, protein, vitamins and minerals, it’s not unlikely for you to feel exhausted and easy to become fatigued. You may also feel sleepy a lot, and that’s why you tend to nap several times a day just like a baby. However, it’s not just your body that is fatigued by celiac disease, but also your brain. It’s not unlikely for you to experience what’s called brain fog, which can leave you suffering from poor memory and lack of focus.
There are so many, many other signs and symptoms that celiac disease can bring, and the above are just a tiny fraction of them. If you suspect that you are suffering from celiac disease, it’s of utmost importance to see a specialist immediately in order to prevent complications.
