Ask the Experts Blog

Are you paying attention to how foods and drinks make your body feel? According to the National Institutes of Health, about 2 million people in the United States experience celiac disease or gluten-sensitive enteropathy. It can be experienced by people of all ages, including children. This condition is a digestive and immune sickness that is a reaction to gluten proteins found in grain foods, like wheat, barley and rye. It affects tiny, fingerlike stalks, or villi, living in the small intestine. Celiac disease damages the villi making it difficult to absorb the nutrients you need.

If you think you may have celiac disease or need help managing the condition, contact your primary care physician to see if you may benefit from a celiac blood test. Symptoms can vary widely, some people have none and some may experience:

• Stomach pain, cramping, swelling or bloating
• Stool changes
• Bone or joint pain
• Iron deficiency
• Tiredness and loss of energy
• Mood changes, irritability or depression
• Unexplained elevated liver test results
• Canker sores or tooth enamel problems

Changing Your Lifestyle

People who have been diagnosed with celiac disease have strict dietary guidelines which can make it tricky to enjoy eating meals away from home. It is important to follow a consistent, gluten-free diet daily, even if you currently do not have symptoms. These dietary changes can help you feel better and can even help reverse damage to your small bowel.