Celiac Disease / Common for both AIHers and PBCers

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Signs and Symptoms of Celiac Disease

Depending on the degree of malabsorption, the signs and symptoms of celiac

disease vary among individuals, ranging from no symptoms, few or mild signs and

symptoms, to many or severe signs and symptoms. There are two categories of

signs and symptoms: 1) signs and symptoms due to malabsorption, and 2) signs and

symptoms due to malnutrition including vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

1. Signs and symptoms due to malabsorption: Fat is the most commonly and

severely affected nutrient in celiac disease. Gastrointestinal symptoms of fat

malabsorption include:

* diarrhea,

* foul smelling gas,

* increased amount of fat in the stool, and

* abdominal bloating.

2. Signs and symptoms due to malnutrition including vitamin and mineral

deficiencies include:

* weight loss,

* fluid retention,

* anemia,

* osteoporosis,

* bruising easily,

* peripheral neuropathy,

* infertility, and

* muscle weakness.

What is celiac disease?

Celiac disease is a disease of the small intestine. The small intestine is a 22

foot long tube that begins at the stomach and ends at the large intestine

(colon). The first 10 inches (25cm) feet of the small intestine (the part that

is attached to the stomach) is called the duodenum, the middle part is called

the jejunum, and the last part (the part that is attached to the colon) is

called the ileum. Food empties from the stomach into the small intestine where

it is digested and absorbed into the body. While food is being digested and

absorbed, it is transported by the small intestine to the colon. What enters the

colon is primarily undigested food. In celiac disease, there is an immunological

(allergic) reaction within the inner lining of the small intestine to proteins

(gluten) that are present in wheat, rye, barley and, to a lesser extent, in

oats. The immunological reaction causes inflammation that destroys the lining of

the small intestine. This reduces the absorption of dietary nutrients and can

lead to symptoms and signs of nutritional, vitamin, and mineral deficiencies.

Other names for celiac disease include sprue, nontropical sprue, gluten

enteropathy, and adult celiac disease. (Tropical sprue is another disease of the

small intestine that occurs in tropical climates. Although tropical sprue may

cause symptoms that are similar to celiac disease, the two diseases are not

related.)