DAY 9 OF 10 SYMPTOMS OF CELIAC DISEASE

 INFERTILITY

Researchers have recently realized that there may be an association between undiagnosed celiac disease and unexplained infertility in both men and women. Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after one year of attempting pregnancy (with unprotected sex).

In women, issues often occur during ovulation while in men, it may be due to insufficient sperm or the production of abnormal sperm. While it is yet to be clear why celiac disease is associated with infertility, experts believe it may be due to malnutrition as the intestines can no longer absorb nutrients effectively.

DAY 8 OF 10 SYMPTOMS OF CELIAC DISEASE

 

Symptom #8: Neurological Symptoms

Celiac disease can also affect the nervous system. The commonest way celiac disease affects patients neurologically is small fiber neuropathy. These patients usually present with tingling, burning sensation, numbness, stinging, and electric-shock sensations in the limbs, torso, or face. It can also lead to dizziness and fainting upon standing up, abnormal sweating, sexual dysfunction, bladder symptoms, skin changes, and hair loss.

The lack of familiarity of professionals with small fiber neuropathy can lead to wrong diagnoses and mismanagement of the condition. Less common symptoms include ataxia, seizures, or neuropsychiatric conditions.

DAY 7 OF 10 SYMPTOMS OF CELIAC DISEASE

 

Symptom #7: Abnormal Bleeding

Approximately 20% of adults who have untreated celiac disease have issues with absorption of nutrients such as vitamin K. Vitamin K deficiency can lead to clotting disorders as there is prolonged prothrombin time which has been associated with lower levels of iron, hemoglobin, cholesterol, proteins, and serum aspartate transaminase.

Hemorrhage is a rare presentation but some of the recorded presentations of abnormal bleeding in celiac disease patients are ecchymosis (bruising), and bleeding gums.

DAY 6 OF 10 SYMPTOMS OF CELIAC DISEASE

 

Symptom #6: Osteopenia And Osteoporosis

Osteopenia occurs when the bone mineral density is lower compared to normal. It is a precursor to osteoporosis. Once osteopenia becomes more advanced, it turns into osteoporosis, which is a condition where the bones are less dense and have a tendency to fracture. Both osteopenia and osteoporosis are complications of untreated celiac disease.

This occurs because the small intestine, which is responsible for absorbing nutrients such as calcium, is no longer working efficiently. Since calcium is vital in building and maintaining bones, patients with celiac disease often have bones that are less dense as they are deficient in calcium.

DAY 5 OF 10 SYMPTOMS OF CELIAC DISEASE

 

symptom #5: Anemia

Anemia refers to a lower amount of red blood cells or hemoglobin. In celiac disease, damage to the intestines can cause difficulties in the absorption of iron, folate, and vitamin B12. In patients with celiac disease, those with iron deficiency anemia do not respond to iron therapy. Folate and iron deficiency anemias are commonly seen among celiac disease patients.

These nutrients are normally absorbed in the first two parts of the intestines where damage occurs in early stages of celiac disease. As the condition progresses, the lower part of the intestines is damaged leading to vitamin B12 deficiency anemia.

DAY 4 OF 10 SYMPTOMS OF CELIAC DISEASE

 

Symptom #4: Weight Loss

Weight loss is defined as the reduction of body mass which occurs due to loss of fluid, fat, bone mineral deposits, muscle, or any other connective tissue. In children, there may be failure to thrive which means faltering of weight. The term failure to thrive is used to indicate insufficient weight gain and can be evaluated through comparing the weight of the child compared to the normal average.

Besides the weight loss, affected children also often stop growing in stature. Weight loss or failure to thrive are non-specific symptoms that can occur.

DAY 3 OF 10 SYMPTOMS OF CELIAC DISEASE

 

Symptom #3: Mouth Ulcers

Celiac disease not only affects the intestines but also other soft tissues of the body (such as the oral cavity or mouth). While the mechanism on how celiac disease causes mouth sores is unclear, it has been suggested that it may occur due to a deficiency in vitamins and minerals as there is an inability to absorb them through the gastrointestinal tract.

The ulcers or sores associated with celiac disease appear to be similar to aphthous ulcers or “canker sores”. Celiac mouth ulcers can be managed through strict avoidance of foods that contain gluten as these sores eventually heal and diminish once the body is no longer processing gluten.