Celiac disease, a chronic condition that causes negative immune responses to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley, presents itself in various ways. Though most people's symptoms vary to some degree, symptoms such as diarrhea, bloating and other digestive problems are considered "classic" symptoms and affect primarily children. Atypical (less common) symptoms of celiac disease include arthritis, depression and seizures.
Arthritis
Arthritis refers to a group of conditions that result in painful inflammation of the joints. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, arthritis is an atypical symptom of celiac disease that may affect adults. People suffering from rheumatoid arthritis in particular (a form of arthritis that primarily affects the hands and feet) have an increased risk for celiac disease. Since some people with celiac disease experience no symptoms at all and others experience only atypical symptoms, such as arthritis, detecting the disease in these cases can be difficult. Arthritis pain associated with celiac disease may carry on for years prior to diagnosis of celiac's disease. Additional research is needed to determine the prevalence of arthritis among sufferers of celiac disease. However, if you suspect celiac disease as a cause for your joint pain, seek guidance and testing from your doctor.
Depression or Anxiety
Depression is a condition characterized by elongated bouts of depressed mood, such as sadness, loneliness or lack of purpose that interfere with a person's usual life. Anxiety disorder is characterized by severe, excessive worry or anxiousness. These psychological conditions are atypical symptoms of celiac disease. According to the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, researchers have found a potential correlation between malabsorption of nutrients caused by celiac disease and brain function. Various factors, including environmental, emotional and physiological, may contribute to psychological disorders. For this reason, it is difficult to determine whether nutrient malabsorption or the emotional effects of struggling with poor health (particularly in undiagnosed cases) is most to blame. Regardless, people with celiac disease carry increased risk for these disorders. If you experience symptoms of depression or anxiety, seek guidance from your doctor as well a qualified therapist who can help you address your emotional needs. Symptoms triggered by malabsorption of nutrients may become less severe or dissipate once celiac disease is diagnosed and treated.
Seizures
Seizure, a malfunction in the brain that can cause convulsions, is an atypical symptom of celiac disease that may affect children or adults. According to research published by the American Gastroenterological Association in April 2005, celiac disease is associated with neurological disorders, such as epilepsy, which commonly causes seizures. Though the specific cause and relationship between celiac disease and seizures requires additional research, some people with the disease experience seizures in response to gluten. If you suspect that you or a loves one's seizures are associated with celiac disease, discuss the possibility with your doctor. Keep in mind that many celiac disease tests require that gluten remain in the body in order to attain accurate results. For this reason, do not eliminate gluten from your diet prior to your doctor's approval. Since seizures may indicate an array of serious health conditions, seek immediate medical attention if or when they occur.
