How to Identify Symptoms of Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is a condition of the small intestine caused by an allergy to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley grains or byproducts. Also known as Gluten Enteropathy or Nontropical Sprue, the condition prevents the intestine from absorbing nutrients vital for optimal health. Left untreated, celiac disease may lead to excessive weight loss and malnutrition, with its accompanying symptoms and conditions. It is important to know and understand the symptoms of celiac disease in order to initiate treatment of a gluten-free diet, which generally brings drastic improvement in physical condition and health within a few weeks. Though celiac disease is most commonly discovered in infants or small children, it may also appear suddenly in adults, especially those with a family history of the disease.

Instructions

• 1

  Watch for unexplained weight loss in infants or small children following the introduction of cereals into the diet. With adults, symptoms may occur gradually over several months or years, but will cause a rapid weight loss within a few weeks.

• 2

  Pay attention to appetite. Infants and toddlers or small children will generally turn their head away or refuse to eat. In adults, the inability of the small intestine to absorb nutrients and the general ill feeling that accompanies celiac disease prompts poor appetite and the inability to keep food down.

• 3

  Look for other signs such as light-colored, foul-smelling but bulky bowel movements and the frequent passing of gas. This is caused by the body's efforts to rid the gluten or cereal products from the intestinal tract.

• 4

  Touch the abdomen. It is bloated or swollen? Does touching it cause discomfort or pain? Such localized discomfort is a sign that something is not right within the lower abdominal tract and should be assessed by a physician, regardless of age.

• 5

  Pay attention to growing signs of fatigue in the individual. Malnutrition and lack of adequate vitamin and minerals will produce lethargy, fatigue, sleepiness and may even affect mood and temperament.