How to tell if you have celiac disease

How to tell if you have celiac disease? Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that causes a permanent intolerance to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. When a person with celiac disease eats foods containing gluten, the immune system reacts abnormally. The autoimmune attack causes chronic inflammation that damages the intestinal villi (the small projections that line the small intestine and absorb nutrients), flattening them and making them less efficient. Because of the damage to the villi, the intestine cannot properly absorb essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and fats. The damage to the intestine and the malabsorption then cause the typical symptoms of celiac disease

Symptoms of celiac disease

The symptoms of celiac disease can differ from person to person. At first they can even be mistaken for those of other conditions. For this reason it is essential to undergo appropriate tests and to see specialists who can understand the patient’s symptoms. At the facilities of the NefroCenter group, all the tests that make it possible to tell if you have celiac disease are performed.

Celiac disease can show up as:

• Gastrointestinal disorders. Diarrhea, constipation, abdominal bloating, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.
• Malabsorption. Weight loss, anemia, chronic fatigue.
• Other symptoms. Canker sores in the mouth, dermatitis herpetiformis (an itchy skin rash), osteoporosis, joint pain, infertility.

Symptoms in children

The symptoms of celiac disease vary when it appears in childhood

• Growth delay
• Behavioral disorders
• Recurrent vomiting
• Chronic diarrhea
• Abdominal bloating

Some of these symptoms may be mild or absent. Even so, when you have suspicions it is advisable to ask the pediatrician for specific tests.

How to tell if you have celiac disease: the diagnosis

The diagnosis of celiac disease is based on a combination of factors, and for this reason it is important that highly specialized facilities such as those of the NefroCenter group perform the tests.

• Blood tests. Specific antibodies (anti-transglutaminase, anti-endomysial) are looked for, which indicate an immune reaction to gluten.
• Intestinal biopsy. This test involves taking a small sample of intestinal mucosa to check for the damage typical of celiac disease.
• Gluten-free diet. Sometimes, to confirm the diagnosis, a gluten-free diet is recommended for a certain period, followed by a controlled reintroduction of gluten to assess the body’s response.

Why is an early diagnosis important?

Untreated celiac disease can cause serious long-term complications, such as osteoporosis, infertility, intestinal lymphoma and other autoimmune diseases. An early diagnosis and a strictly gluten-free diet are essential to avoid complications.

If left untreated, celiac disease can lead to several fairly serious complications:

• Osteoporosis. Due to the malabsorption of calcium and vitamin D.
• Anemia. Due to iron and vitamin B12 deficiency.
• Infertility. In both men and women.
• Intestinal lymphoma. A rare type of cancer of the lymphatic system.
• Other autoimmune diseases. For example type 1 diabetes, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and rheumatoid arthritis.

There is no cure, but the only treatment to follow is a gluten-free diet. In this way, the intestinal villi heal and allow not only regular absorption, but also the possibility of avoiding complications that can trigger more or less serious conditions, as well as worsening quality of life.