The Final Count of Celiac Disease Symptoms Is Mind-Boggling

What makes celiac disease so unique is that it is defined by a high number of potential symptoms. Because celiac disease is linked to so many symptoms, doctors often struggle to provide a finite diagnosis, which poses dangerous consequences for patients undiagnosed.

An article by the Celiac Disease Foundation highlights the many symptoms that are linked to the disease: “Celiac disease can be difficult to diagnose because it affects people differently. There are more than 200 known celiac disease symptoms which may occur in the digestive system or other parts of the body. Some people develop celiac disease as a child, others as an adult. The reason for this is still unknown.” 

This shows the complexities that are tied to the disease. While many of these symptoms can baffle a newly-diagnosed patient, being aware of the many characteristics of celiac disease can help to recognize whether or not it is prevalent.

The different types of celiac disease

The article by the Celiac Disease Foundation discusses the many symptoms of the disease, giving examples of some of the most common experiences that patients may encounter.  These different symptoms were split into two sections, which included the symptoms that are most common in children and adults.  The symptoms listed for children included, “abdominal bloating and pain, chronic diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, pale, foul-smelling, or fatty stool, weight loss, fatigue, irritability and behavioral issues, dental enamel defects of the permanent teeth, delayed growth and puberty, short stature, failure to thrive, [and] Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).” 

As for adults, the articles points out that patients will often experience less instances of problems digesting.  The piece lists the symptoms that adults experience with celiac disease as, “unexplained iron-deficiency anemia, fatigue, bone or joint pain, arthritis, osteoporosis or osteopenia (bone loss), liver and biliary tract disorders (transaminitis, fatty liver, primary sclerosing cholangitis, etc.), depression or anxiety, peripheral neuropathy (tingling, numbness or pain in the hands and feet), seizures or migraines, missed menstrual periods, infertility or recurrent miscarriage, canker sores inside the mouth, [and] dermatitis herpetiformis (itchy skin rash).”

Read on to learn more about the large number of symptoms that are connected to celiac disease.