Celiac disease is characterized by gluten intolerance resulting in inflammatory damage to the small-intestinal mucosa. If you are gluten-intolerant, you may develop lactose intolerance if the cells in the body that break down lactose are damaged. The lactose intolerance is typically temporary once damage to the gut heals, according to an article published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition." You should consult a doctor for specific medical advice regarding your condition.
Gluten Intolerance
Celiac is an inheritable disease in which a person experiences irritation to the body when gluten is consumed. It is sometimes known by the term "gluten-sensitive enteropathy." When you have celiac disease and eat gluten, the body induces a chronic inflammatory response at the site of damage, which is the small-intenstinal mucosa. You may have trouble absorbing many nutrients, including fat-soluble vitamins such as K, D, A and E. You may also be deficient in iron, folic acid and calcium.
Lactose Intolerance
People with lactose intolerance experience difficulty digesting the milk-sugar lactose. To break down lactose, you need the enzyme lactase. If you have insufficient lactase for digestion, you may feel sick after eating products containing milk. An individual with lactose intolerance can get her calcium from alternate sources, including canned salmon, green leafy vegetables, oranges, almonds, soy milk, tofu and calcium-fortified products like orange juice. Talk to your doctor about ways to get sufficient calcium in your diet.
Connection
When you have celiac disease and ingest gluten, the villi along your small intestine walls can become damaged through inflammation. Villi are fingerlike projections that work in the small intestine to increase the organ's surface area. The tip of your villi have on them lactase, an enzyme that breaks down lactose, according to Registered Dietitian Shelley Case. As a result of damage to the villi triggered by the ingestion of gluten, your intestine may become unable to break down lactose.
Symptoms
Celiac disease does not have typical symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic. Some complaints you may have include diarrhea, abdominal pain and bloating. Other less obvious signs you might experience include depression, irritability, an upset stomach, joint pain, muscle cramps, mouth sores, a skin rash, bone disorders and tingling in your legs and feet. The malabsorption of nutrients can lead to weight loss, weakness and fatigue, grayish foul-smelling stools, stunted growth in children and osteoporosis. Signs you are lactose-intolerant include diarrhea, cramps or pain in your abdomen, gas and nausea.
References
- American Journal of Clinical Nutrition; The Widening Spectrum of Celiac Disease; Joseph A Murray; 1999
- Celiac.com; How Is Lactose Intolerance Related to Celiac Disease?; Scott Adams; 1996
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse; What I Need to Know About Lactose Intolerance
- Gluten-Free Diet; Celiac Disease and Lactose Intolerance; Shelley Case
- Mayo Clinic; Celiac Disease Symptoms
