“What damage does celiac cause?”
I am a 47 year old male. I want to know what damage does celiac cause?
3 Answers
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder triggered by the ingestion of gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and their derivatives. When someone with celiac disease consumes gluten, it triggers an immune response that damages the lining of the small intestine. This damage can lead to a wide range of symptoms and complications. Here's an overview of the damage that celiac disease can cause:
1. **Damage to the Small Intestine**: The hallmark of celiac disease is damage to the lining of the small intestine. The small intestine is responsible for absorbing nutrients from the food we eat. In individuals with celiac disease, the immune response triggered by gluten consumption leads to inflammation and damage to the villi, tiny finger-like projections on the intestinal lining. This damage impairs the absorption of nutrients, leading to malnutrition.
2. **Nutritional Deficiencies**: Due to the damage to the small intestine, individuals with celiac disease often suffer from nutritional deficiencies. This can result in a wide range of symptoms, including fatigue, anemia (low red blood cell count), vitamin and mineral deficiencies (e.g., vitamin D, vitamin B12, iron, calcium), and stunted growth in children.
3. **Gastrointestinal Symptoms**: Celiac disease can cause a variety of gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, bloating, and gas. These symptoms can vary in severity from person to person.
4. **Dermatitis Herpetiformis**: Some individuals with celiac disease develop a skin condition called dermatitis herpetiformis, characterized by itchy, blistering skin rashes. This condition is related to the immune response triggered by gluten and can be a diagnostic clue for celiac disease.
5. **Neurological Symptoms**: Celiac disease can also affect the nervous system, leading to neurological symptoms such as headaches, migraines, tingling or numbness in the extremities (peripheral neuropathy), and balance problems.
6. **Bone Health**: Calcium and vitamin D absorption may be impaired in celiac disease, which can lead to reduced bone density (osteoporosis) and an increased risk of fractures.
7. **Reproductive Issues**: In women, celiac disease can lead to reproductive issues, including delayed puberty, infertility, and an increased risk of miscarriage.
8. **Other Autoimmune Disorders**: Celiac disease is associated with an increased risk of developing other autoimmune disorders, such as thyroid disease, type 1 diabetes, and autoimmune liver diseases.
9. **Increased Risk of Certain Cancers**: In the long term, untreated celiac disease is associated with an increased risk of certain cancers, particularly lymphoma and small intestine cancer.
The good news is that celiac disease can be effectively managed through a strict gluten-free diet. By eliminating gluten from their diet, individuals with celiac disease can allow their small intestine to heal, reduce symptoms, and prevent further damage and complications. If you suspect you have celiac disease or have been diagnosed, it's important to work closely with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian who specializes in celiac disease to ensure proper management and dietary adherence.
1. **Damage to the Small Intestine**: The hallmark of celiac disease is damage to the lining of the small intestine. The small intestine is responsible for absorbing nutrients from the food we eat. In individuals with celiac disease, the immune response triggered by gluten consumption leads to inflammation and damage to the villi, tiny finger-like projections on the intestinal lining. This damage impairs the absorption of nutrients, leading to malnutrition.
2. **Nutritional Deficiencies**: Due to the damage to the small intestine, individuals with celiac disease often suffer from nutritional deficiencies. This can result in a wide range of symptoms, including fatigue, anemia (low red blood cell count), vitamin and mineral deficiencies (e.g., vitamin D, vitamin B12, iron, calcium), and stunted growth in children.
3. **Gastrointestinal Symptoms**: Celiac disease can cause a variety of gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, bloating, and gas. These symptoms can vary in severity from person to person.
4. **Dermatitis Herpetiformis**: Some individuals with celiac disease develop a skin condition called dermatitis herpetiformis, characterized by itchy, blistering skin rashes. This condition is related to the immune response triggered by gluten and can be a diagnostic clue for celiac disease.
5. **Neurological Symptoms**: Celiac disease can also affect the nervous system, leading to neurological symptoms such as headaches, migraines, tingling or numbness in the extremities (peripheral neuropathy), and balance problems.
6. **Bone Health**: Calcium and vitamin D absorption may be impaired in celiac disease, which can lead to reduced bone density (osteoporosis) and an increased risk of fractures.
7. **Reproductive Issues**: In women, celiac disease can lead to reproductive issues, including delayed puberty, infertility, and an increased risk of miscarriage.
8. **Other Autoimmune Disorders**: Celiac disease is associated with an increased risk of developing other autoimmune disorders, such as thyroid disease, type 1 diabetes, and autoimmune liver diseases.
9. **Increased Risk of Certain Cancers**: In the long term, untreated celiac disease is associated with an increased risk of certain cancers, particularly lymphoma and small intestine cancer.
The good news is that celiac disease can be effectively managed through a strict gluten-free diet. By eliminating gluten from their diet, individuals with celiac disease can allow their small intestine to heal, reduce symptoms, and prevent further damage and complications. If you suspect you have celiac disease or have been diagnosed, it's important to work closely with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian who specializes in celiac disease to ensure proper management and dietary adherence.
Mostly symptoms but may lead to anemia
Celiac causes inflammation of the duodenum and jejunum, causing villous blunting. This resulting in malabsorption. In very rare cases, celiac causes ulcerations of the small intestine.
