Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is a long-term autoimmune disorder that impacts the small intestine. Proper management begins with gaining a thorough understanding of its triggers, warning signs, diagnostic processes, and available treatments.

A medical illustration of the small intestine showing the damage to villi caused by an autoimmune response to gluten

What is Celiac Disease?

Celiac disease is a serious genetic autoimmune disorder where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine. When people with celiac disease eat gluten, their body mounts an immune response that attacks the small intestine.

This immune response damages the villi—tiny, finger-like structures in the small intestine that aid nutrient absorption. When the villi are harmed, the body cannot absorb nutrients properly, leading to issues like malnutrition, bone density loss, miscarriage, infertility, neurological disorders, or even certain cancers if left untreated.

Early diagnosis is key to preventing long-term complications.

Causes and Risk Factors

It is estimated that celiac disease affects 1 in 100 people worldwide, though many cases remain undiagnosed. While the condition can develop at any age, certain factors may increase the risk:

People with a first-degree relative with celiac disease (parent, child, sibling) have a 1 in 10 risk of developing the condition themselves.

Individuals with type 1 diabetes, autoimmune thyroid disease, or microscopic colitis are at higher risk.

Conditions such as Down syndrome, Turner syndrome, and Williams syndrome are associated with higher rates of celiac disease.

Symptoms of Celiac Disease

The symptoms of celiac disease can vary greatly from person to person and affect different body systems. Common signs include:

  • Chronic diarrhea or constipation.
  • Unexplained weight loss.
  • Bloating or gas.
  • Pale, foul-smelling stool.
  • Anemia causing fatigue.
  • Tingling or numbness in the legs.
  • Missed menstrual periods due to significant weight loss.
  • Early-onset osteoporosis or bone fractures.
  • Discoloration or loss of tooth enamel.

Celiac disease can also cause various types of pain. Common pain-related symptoms include:

  • Recurring stomach pain or bloating.
  • Muscle cramps or bone pain.
  • Joint pain.
  • Itchy, painful skin rash.

Diagnosing Celiac Disease

Because symptoms can mimic other conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or lactose intolerance, accurate diagnosis is crucial.

Diagnostic procedures include:

High levels of certain antibodies indicate an immune reaction to gluten. This is often the first step in screening.

Blood tests to check for human leukocyte antigens (HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8) can be used to rule out celiac disease.

If blood tests suggest celiac disease, a biopsy of the small intestine is performed to confirm the diagnosis. During this procedure, a small tube with a camera is inserted through the mouth to the small intestine, where the doctor can visualize the villi and take tissue samples to check for damage.

Important: Do not start a gluten-free diet before testing, as it can affect the accuracy of the results.

 

Treatment and Management

The only effective treatment for celiac disease is a strict, lifelong gluten-free diet. Removing gluten from your diet allows the intestinal villi to heal and start absorbing nutrients properly again.

Additional management strategies include:

Learning to identify hidden sources of gluten in foods, medications, and non-food products (like vitamins and lip balms). We can refer you to expert dietitians in Northeast Ohio who specialize in celiac disease.

Addressing any vitamin deficiencies (such as iron, calcium, vitamin D, and B12) that may have occurred due to malabsorption. Supplements may be recommended initially.

For patients with dermatitis herpetiformis, specific medications may be prescribed to control the rash while the gluten-free diet takes effect.

Regular check-ups and blood tests are important to ensure the antibody levels are returning to normal and that the intestine is healing.

Manage Celiac Disease in Westlake or Brooklyn, OH

Living with celiac disease requires lifestyle changes, and the gastroenterology specialists at North Shore Gastroenterology are here to help. Contact us today at (440) 808-1212 or request an appointment online to schedule a visit.