Celiac disease is a medical condition in which the body's immune system initiates an unusual response when exposed to gluten, a substance found in rye, wheat and barley. The cause of this disease is unknown and symptoms of this condition in adults can vary significantly between patients. Children or adults who develop celiac disease symptoms should seek further evaluation and treatment from a primary care physician.
Stomach Upset
The most common symptoms associated with celiac disease in adults are stomach-related. Patients can experience frequent bouts of nausea, vomiting, gas or bloating, explain medical professionals at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts. Celiac disease can also cause adults to develop recurrent diarrhea or constipation, which may worsen stomach upset symptoms. Appetite changes can occur that may result in unintended weight loss in certain patients. This condition can also prevent the digestive tract from absorbing necessary nutrients and vitamins from a patient's usual diet. As a result, these patients can become malnourished and may produce foul-smelling stools that float in the toilet due to excess fat levels within the bowel movements. The severity of stomach upset symptoms experienced by celiac disease patients can vary from mild to severe and are typically worst after a patient ingests a gluten-containing food.
Fatigue or Depression
Adults with celiac disease can experience excessive fatigue or mood changes as symptoms of this condition, explains Medline Plus, an informational medical website established by the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health. Increased fatigue can affect a patient's ability to remain alert and active throughout the day. Mood changes, such as depression or anxiety, may become exacerbated by fatigue symptoms and can have a negative impact on a patient's family, social or work relationships.
Dry Skin or Hair Loss
Celiac disease can increase a patient's risk of developing dermatitis herpetiformis, a skin disease characterized by the presence of dry, itchy, fluid-filled skin lesions, warns Up To Date, a peer-reviewed health and medical information website for patients. These skin lesions can appear across the body, including the elbows, knees or lower back and may cause patients to scratch at the affected skin region, which can cause scarring. Certain celiac disease patients also experience hair loss as a symptom of this condition. Hair loss can develop on the scalp, eyebrows or eyelashes and may result in sparse, patchy regions across the affected skin.
Muscle, Joint or Bone Pain
Sensations of pain within the muscles, joints or bones can develop as a symptom of celiac disease in adults, explains the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. These symptoms can become uncomfortable and may contribute to episodes of fatigue. Pain within the body can range from mild to severe and may occur intermittently in certain patients.
Mouth Ulcers or Nosebleeds
Patients with celiac disease often prove more likely than healthy patients to develop mouth ulcers or nosebleeds, explains Medline Plus. Oral ulcers can be painful and may influence a patient's appetite, while nosebleeds can lead to dizziness or headaches in certain patients.
Infertility or Missed Menstrual Periods
Women with celiac disease can experience irregular menstrual cycles or may have difficulty becoming pregnant, explain Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center health officials. Patients who experience any of these symptoms should talk with a doctor about how to manage the effects of celiac disease.
