- Celiac disease is estimated to affect
nearly 1% of the population in the US.
It's a serious condition that can cause
a host of issues, including
nutritional deficiencies
and digestive issues.
This means it's definitely
something that you want
to get diagnosed as soon as possible.
So, in this video we're looking at
five of the major signs of celiac disease.
Number one, diarrhea.
Frequently experiencing
loose, watery stools
is one of the first big
symptoms that people experience
before they're diagnosed
with Celiac disease.
In one small study, 79% of celiac patients
reported experiencing
diarrhea prior to treatment.
Now, following treatment,
just 17% of patients
continued to have chronic diarrhea.
Other studies confirm that
this is a major symptom
of untreated celiac disease, but of course
there are so many things that could
cause recurring diarrhea,
so you might want to see
if you have any of these
other symptoms as well.
Number two, fatigue.
Decreased energy levels and fatigue
are really prevalent with
untreated celiac disease.
One study of 51 celiac patients found that
those who are untreated
had significantly more
severe fatigue and
fatigue-related problems
than those on a gluten-free diet.
Another study found that
those with celiac disease
were more likely to have sleep disorders,
which could also contribute to fatigue.
Additionally, untreated celiac disease
can damage the small intestine,
which can lead to vitamin
and mineral deficiencies,
which could also ultimately cause fatigue.
Number three, iron-deficiency anemia.
So celiac disease can
impair nutrient absorption
and this can lead to
iron-deficiency anemia.
This a condition caused by a
lack of red blood cells in the body.
Symptoms of iron-deficiency
anemia include fatigue,
weakness, chest pain,
headaches, and dizziness.
One study looked at 34
children with celiac disease
and found that nearly 15% had
mild to moderate iron-deficiency anemia.
Another study with 727 celiac patients
reported that 23% were anemic.
Additionally, those with
anemia were twice as likely
to have severe damage
to the small intestine
as well as a low bone mass
caused by celiac disease.
Just be mindful, there are other causes
of iron-deficiency anemia as well,
such as overall poor diet, long-term use
of pain relievers like
Aspirin, and blood loss
from heavy menstrual
bleeding or peptic ulcers.
Number four, weight loss.
A sharp, unintentional drop in weight loss
or difficulty maintaining weight is also
another symptom of celiac disease.
One study of 112 participants
with celiac disease
found that weight loss
affected 23% of patients.
It was one of the most common symptoms
following diarrhea,
fatigue, and stomach pain.
The reason this happens again
is because the body loses
some of its ability to absorb nutrients,
and therefore calories as
well, and this can lead
to malnutrition and
unintentional weight loss.
Number five, itchy rash.
Celiac disease may cause
dermatitis herpetiformis,
a type of itchy, blistering skin rash
that can occur on the
elbows, knees, or buttocks.
Now, approximately 17% of
those with celiac disease
experience this rash, and it is one of
the tell-tale symptoms
that lead to a diagnosis.
It may also develop after diagnosis
as a sign of poor adherence to treatment.
Interestingly enough, some
people may develop this skin rash
symptoms without actually experiencing
the typical digestive
symptoms that you would see
with undiagnosed celiac disease.
In fact, fewer than 10% of celiac patients
who do experience the skin rash
actually get digestive
symptoms from celiac disease.
So, it's kind of almost like
you either get the skin rash
or you get the digestive symptoms.
As you can see, if left untreated,
celiac disease can have
major health issues,
including digestive problems,
nutritional deficiencies,
skin issues, unintentional
weight loss, and fatigue.
If you suspect you may
have celiac disease,
you need to get tested by your
doctor as soon as possible.
Thanks for watching.
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