Chronic or unexplained constipation and diarrhea are often classified as irritable bowel syndrome, also known as IBS. But these can also be signs of celiac disease. While celiac disease was once thought to be rare in the United States, as we learn more, we’re finding that it may not be as rare as once thought. In fact, some people who have been told they have IBS may actually have gluten sensitivity or even celiac disease.

Correct diagnosis is important

The sad part about a potential misdiagnosis is that celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that can cause damage to the intestines, which can affect the absorption of nutrients from food. Living for several years without absorbing all the nutrients from food can cause other health problems over time. This disease is triggered by eating gluten, a protein made in grains such as wheat, rye and barley. It’s something most people are exposed to on a regular basis.

Celiac disease symptoms

There are a number of symptoms that people can experience when they have celiac disease or gluten intolerance. Because some symptoms of celiac disease are quite common and possibly a sign of another problem, such as loose stools, constipation, abdominal pain, or bloating, it’s easy to misdiagnose them.

Other symptoms of gluten intolerance or celiac disease are not gastrointestinal, so they can be difficult to correctly connect and diagnose. Non-GI symptoms may include skin lesions, joint pain, depression, anemia, fertility problems, or osteoporosis. To make it even more difficult, some people do not have overt symptoms, but may still suffer from a lack of nutrient absorption caused by damage to the small intestine from the autoimmune response to gluten.

Risk factor’s

There are some uncontrollable risk factors to be aware of if you suspect you may be gluten intolerant. Celiac disease can be genetic, so if someone else in your family has it, consider getting tested. Women and Caucasians are more prone to this disorder. If you have another autoimmune disorder, there is a higher chance that you have gluten intolerance.

To do

It’s important to see your doctor if you think you may have trouble digesting wheat products or any gluten-containing products, but in the meantime, one thing you can do on your own is to completely eliminate gluten from your diet for a couple of weeks to see if the symptoms go away.

Keep a food journal and record any changes as you start adding gluten back into your diet. Take detailed notes on any changes you notice and report your findings to your doctor. Ultimately, you may find out that you have irritable bowel syndrome and not gluten sensitivity, so don’t jump to conclusions.

If you find out you have celiac disease, you’ll need to completely eliminate gluten from your diet. Fortunately, as demand has increased, there are now more and more gluten-free food options available.