Celiac Disease: Symptom and Causes

Symptoms

Symptoms of coeliac disease can range from mild to severe.

• Indigestion
• Mild abdominal (stomach) pain
• Bloating
• Occasional changes in bowel habit, such as episodes of mild diarrhoea or constipation
• Iron deficiency anaemia
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Tingling and numbness in your hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy)
• Vomiting (usually only affects children)
• Alopecia (loss of hair)
• Aphthous ulcers (sores in the mouth)
• Missed menstrual periods
• Severe skin rash
• Musculoskeletal problems (muscle cramps, joint and bone pain)

Causes

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition caused by an abnormal immune reaction to the protein gluten, found in foods such as bread, pasta, cereals and biscuits. Other risk factors include:

• Runs in families
• Environmental factors
• Other health conditions like type 1 diabetes, ulcerative colitis, neurological disorders