Celiac disease will only cause fatigue after eating if you've consumed a food or beverage that contains gluten. Gluten is a protein, primarily found in wheat, that causes damage to the small hairs in the small intestines, if you have celiac disease. If you are fatigued in general and you've been diagnosed with celiac disease, you may be malnourished. You should call your doctor immediately to prevent any further complications. Undiagnosed celiac disease can be life-threatening. Talk with your doctor as soon as possible.
Cause
Celiac disease is a malfunction of the immune system. If you have this disorder, your immune system attacks and damages the lining of your small intestines after eating gluten. The exact cause for this reaction is unknown, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Eating the smallest amount of gluten can cause significant damage to your intestines, leading to significant weight loss, weakness and fatigue. These are alarming symptoms that need to be evaluated immediately.
Symptoms
Symptoms of celiac disease are different for everyone and may be difficult to notice because they can be confused for another digestive condition. Common symptoms include anemia, joint pain, skin rashes, muscle cramps, irritability, mouth sores, dental conditions, diarrhea, weight loss, stunted growth, general weakness, cramping, bloating and gas, according to MayoClinc.com. Most symptoms develop shortly after eating foods that contain gluten, such as bread, pasta or baked goods.
Malnourishment Concern
Fatigue associated with celiac disease is sign of malnourishment. The damage caused by the immune system to the villi in the small intestines restricts your body from effectively absorbing needed nutrients. Instead of being absorbed into the body, they are expelled in your stool instead, leaving a deficiency in your blood. MayoClinic.com states that you can become deficient of folate, iron and vitamin D. Your doctor may recommend hospitalization and supplementation to restore the nutrients back into your body.
Treatment
The most effective way to treat celiac disease is to eliminate all gluten from your diet, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Eating gluten-free requires a drastic change in your eating habits. Gluten is used in many processed foods and beverages and is found in almost all flour-based foods, such as cereal, crackers, bread, cookies and pastries. Gluten is also used in unsuspecting foods, such as ketchup, ice cream and non-dairy creamers. You can substitute wheat flour with potato, rice, quinoa, buckwheat, bean and soy flours, for example, as these types of flour do not contain any gluten.
Member Comments