According to this week's poll, 96% of respondents have been tested for celiac disease and 36% were positive for celiac disease. Two percent of our respondents do not want to be tested for celiac, and another 2% were unsure of what celiac disease is.
Celiac disease, also called celiac sprue, is an autoimmune disorder that occurs when the body reacts to foods containing grains such as wheat, barley, and rye. The body is reacting to a protein called gluten, which is present in grains. Celiac is relatively common in people who have a relative with another autoimmune disorder, such as type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Symptoms of celiac disease are often digestive and more common in children, and may include:
- bloating, or a feeling of fullness or swelling in the abdomen
- chronic diarrhea
- constipation
- gas
- nausea
- pale, foul-smelling, or fatty stools that float
- stomach pain
- vomiting
Adults are less likely to have digestive symptoms, but may exhibit the following:
- anemia
- a red, smooth, shiny tongue
- bone or joint pain
- depression or anxiety
- dermatitis herpetiformis
- headaches
- infertility or repeated miscarriage
- missed menstrual periods
- mouth problems such a canker sores or dry mouth
- seizures
- tingling numbness in the hands and feet
- tiredness
- weak and brittle bones
For details on celiac disease and diabetes, we have a fact page that can help keep you informed.
