Coeliac disease (or celiac disease in the United States) is a chronic disease caused by an abnormal immune response to gluten---a protein that can be found in wheat, rye and barley. The University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center estimates that more than 3 million people in the United States suffer from this condition. Side effects of coeliac disease are diverse and numerable---there are over 300 symptoms associated with this condition. Speak with your doctor for further evaluation if you develop coeliac disease symptoms.
Abdominal Discomfort
You can experience frequent abdominal discomfort after consuming or using products that contain gluten if you have coeliac disease. Symptoms of abdominal discomfort can include chronic diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, constipation or abdominal pain and bloating. Symptoms involving the digestive tract occur most commonly in infants and children with this condition, reports Medline Plus, an online health information resource provided by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Weight loss due to poor nutrient absorption can also occur in people with coeliac disease.
Iron-deficiency Anemia
Coeliac disease can interfere with your body's ability to absorb nutrients, such as iron, from the food you ingest. This can prevent your cells and tissues from receiving an adequate supply of oxygenated blood. If this occurs, you can develop a condition called iron-deficiency anemia. Symptoms of anemia include fatigue, dizziness, headache, pale skin, irregular heartbeat or chest pain.
Osteoporosis
If your body cannot absorb adequate nutrients from ingested food due to coeliac disease, you can begin to develop bone loss---a disease called osteoporosis. Osteoporosis can cause your bones to become brittle and thin, increasing your risk of experiencing bone fracture. Additional symptoms associated with osteoporosis can include bone, neck or back pain, abnormal posture or progressive loss of height.
Joint Pain
The inflammatory immune response caused by coeliac disease in response to gluten can lead to painful symptoms throughout your body. You can experience joint pain, stiffness and swelling due to this condition, which can interfere with your ability to freely move your joints. Such symptoms can also contribute to feelings of fatigue or tiredness.
Dermatitis Herpetiformis
Coeliac disease can cause you to develop a skin condition called dermatitis herpetiformis (DH). This condition typically causes red, itchy lesions to appear on any skin region of the body. The skin affected by DH---typically the lower back, knees, elbows or buttocks---can develop clusters of small blisters that sting or burn.
Infertility
Infertility and unexplained miscarriages are common amongst women with coeliac disease who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant. An allergy to gluten can cause your body to become malnourished, which prevents your body from being able to provide adequate nutrition to a developing fetus. Miscarriage and infertility can also cause a number of emotional problems to occur, including depression or anxiety.
