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Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
10 surprising symptoms of Celiac disease you might be ignoring
Celiac disease , often thought of as causing only digestive issues like bloating, diarrhea, or abdominal pain, affects approximately 1% of the global population. While the disease is common, many cases remain undiagnosed. However, this autoimmune disorder, triggered by gluten in wheat, rye, and barley, can manifest in dozens of unexpected ways. If left undiagnosed, it can silently contribute to long-term complications like osteoporosis, neurological decline, and infertility. Unchecked celiac disease often results in symptoms affecting your skin, bones, nervous system, reproductive health, and more. However, recognizing common signs, an early diagnosis, and a strict gluten-free diet can transform your quality of life, fixing hidden health problems and preventing serious long-term complications. In this article, we'll unveil ten surprising yet telling symptoms of celiac disease that you may unknowingly be ignoring. Dermatitis Herpetiformis Unlike eczema or psoriasis, dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is unique to celiac disease: small, intensely itchy clusters of blisters appear on elbows, knees, scalp, or buttocks. These itchy blistering rashes happen due to IgA antibody deposits in the skin, triggered by gluten. Though only about 5-10% of patients exhibit DH, it's a definitive cutaneous marker of underlying gluten-triggered autoimmunity, and often clears completely on a gluten-free diet. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 most beautiful women in the world Undo Iron‑deficiency anemia and consistent fatigue Iron is absorbed in the part of the small intestine typically damaged by celiac disease. Malabsorption in the damaged upper small intestine inhibits iron absorption, leading to chronic iron-deficiency anemia. This common yet often overlooked effect paints a portrait of persistent fatigue, pale complexion, shortness of breath, and weakness. In fact, as per the Celiac Disease Foundation , nearly 11% of unexplained iron-deficiency anemia cases are later diagnosed as celiac disease. Addressing anemia without investigating underlying causes can delay an important diagnosis. Peripheral neuropathy (tingling, numbness, burning) According to the Mayo Clinic , up to 10% of celiac patients experience peripheral neuropathy or nerve damage. Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include tingling, burning, or numbness in the hands and feet, even when no digestive signs are present. According to a 2021 study , the prevalence may be even higher (up to 42%) in untreated cases and is thought to stem from nutrient malabsorption and immune-mediated nerve damage. Migraines, headaches, and brain fog Frequent headaches, migraines, and cognitive haziness, or ' brain fog ', are surprisingly common symptoms in the case of celiac disease, which people tend to ignore. Chronic inflammation, nutrient deficiencies (like B vitamins), and gluten-related neurological impacts can dull concentration and memory. These neurological symptoms often improve substantially on a gluten-free diet. Joint pain and arthralgia This one's to be taken note of. Many patients report joint aches or stiffness, sometimes diagnosed as arthritis. Arthralgia, or joint pain and stiffness, often misdiagnosed as arthritis, can be the result of systemic immune inflammation caused by gluten exposure. As per a 2018 study , nearly 30% of patients report joint improvement after eliminating gluten. Bone density loss, osteoporosis, and fracture risk In celiac disease, damage to the small intestine reduces calcium and vitamin D absorption, compromising bone health , leading to an elevated risk of osteomalacia, osteopenia, osteoporosis, and fractures, even in younger adults. Many individuals don't recognize bone weakness until bone scans reveal it. Maintaining strong bones requires both nutrition and gluten removal. Reproductive challenges (infertility, miscarriage, hormonal irregularities) Malabsorption and chronic inflammation can impair reproductive health. Women with undiagnosed celiac may experience irregular cycles, amenorrhea, infertility, or recurrent miscarriages. As the Mayo Clinic suggests, adhering to a gluten-free diet can normalize fertility and reduce pregnancy complications. Oral health issues (canker sores and enamel defects) These are not common oral issues we are talking about that come to pay us a vist once in a while. Persistent mouth ulcers, burning tongue (atrophic glossitis), and serious dental enamel problems like pitting or translucent spots are often associated with celiac disease due to malabsorption of vitamins B12, folate, and minerals. In children, enamel defects may even signal undiagnosed celiac long before other symptoms emerge. Mood disorders (anxiety, depression, cognitive decline) This is more than simple mood swings. Celiac disease, as per research , is increasingly linked to mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, mood swings, ADHD-like attention problems, and even insomnia. These neuropsychiatric symptoms may result from autoimmune processes, nutrient depletion, or chronic inflammation. Many individuals report improved mood and mental clarity post-diagnosis. Vertigo, balance issues, and ataxia Gluten-related neurological impacts aren't limited to headaches. Conditions like gluten ataxia , characterized by poor coordination, dizziness, involuntary eye movements, and balance issues, can occur in celiac sufferers. If left untreated, motor dysfunction may become permanent. Why early detection is important: Celiac disease, estimated to affect up to 1% of people worldwide, remains undiagnosed in up to 70–80% cases, often because they don't show classic digestive complaints. These 'non-classic' symptoms can manifest across multiple systems. Persistent unexplained issues in any of these areas indicate a celiac evaluation, which might include serology tests (tTG-IgA) and confirmatory small-bowel biopsy. If you endure persistent, unexplained symptoms, even in the absence of digestive distress, don't overlook celiac disease. Consult with a healthcare provider and get tested. Early diagnosis and a strict gluten-free diet can transform your quality of life, fixing hidden health problems and preventing serious long-term complications. Heart Failure Warning: 4 Symptoms You Might Be Overlooking
Newsweek
29-05-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
The Good Life: The Gluten Free Glow-Up
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Gluten Free Glow-Up I remember the first time I walked into a Raley's to buy gluten free food. It was 15 years ago and there were maybe half a dozen items on the shelf labeled "gluten free." And they sure tasted like they were missing something. The first ingredient listed in the bread I picked up was tapioca flour; it was dense, stale and flavorless. The little loaf was also three times the price of regular bread and about half the size. Eating at restaurants became risky, stressful—and often sad. There was little knowledge about celiac disease or gluten allergies at that time, and certainly less about cross-contamination. I recall ordering the "most safe" choice, salads, and still getting sick from a sneaky dressing or a stray crouton. Days of being "glutened" would follow. I felt annoying and sometimes dramatic for having to ask servers so many questions. I often ate beforehand and just ordered a drink at the table. It was easier. Finding Safe Options Today, there are three 100% gluten free bakeries within a 10-minute walk around my neighborhood on Manhattan's Upper East Side. And it's good gluten free—scones, croissants, bagels, donuts—which I hadn't had for years. That's a big deal for people with celiac, since a strict gluten-free diet is the only treatment. Many menus now list "GF" next to items, or have knowledge of "safe" foods. This obviously varies with location, but the overall awareness, education and offerings have come a long way. There are promising developments on the horizon in terms of less invasive testing and more global collaboration, too. As we wrap up Celiac Disease Awareness Month, Newsweek spoke with the Celiac Disease Foundation about the progress being made in this space. CLOSE X Improving Diagnosis Through Education In recent years, more awareness and education has resulted in a higher number of proper diagnosis—this runs the spectrum from gluten sensitivity to celiac disease. The Celiac Disease Foundation has been working to educate primary care physicians, pediatricians, and gastroenterologists about the autoimmune disease, aiming to improve diagnosis and patient care. "Two decades ago, there was like one paragraph in medical textbooks about celiac disease," Vanessa Weisbrod, the Celiac Disease Foundation's Chief Education and Community Engagement Officer told Newsweek. "Today, we're seeing it as part of the curriculum, and so they're learning about it early on." A Less Invasive Path to Diagnosis Promising new tests are in development to make celiac diagnosis easier and less invasive. One involves a single-dose gluten challenge—ingesting gluten—followed by a blood draw four hours later. Another skips the gluten entirely by mixing gluten with your blood sample in the lab. "So for people who are already on a gluten free diet, this is really a great thing that could be coming down the pipeline," Weisbrod said. The current gold standard to diagnose celiac disease in the U.S. remains a blood test followed by a biopsy via endoscopy. In Europe, new guidelines now allow diagnosis without the biopsy, under certain criteria. Testing matters here because the disease is still often misdiagnosed. While 1 in 100 people worldwide have celiac, only about 30% are properly diagnosed. There are more than 200 known celiac symptoms, and many often learn they have the disease while seeking help for a reoccuring side effect, such as chronic stomach issues, skin rashes and infertility. Global Collaboration One of the biggest challenges in the celiac community has been a lack of global coordination, Weisbrod explains. The foundation recently brought together leaders and groups from around the world—including Europe, Latin America, India, Australia, and Canada—to align on food labeling, testing standards, and patient support. "And so I think that's probably the most exciting thing happening is that we're starting to see global collaboration, and I'm really excited to see where that goes and how the world is gonna come together for celiac disease," Weisbrod said. While there is still work to do, the progress is validating for many who have struggled over the years to find answers and safe food. Tap here to get this newsletter delivered to your inbox. iStock / Getty Images Plus New Airline Rules as Summer Travel Takes Off Wouldn't it be nice to wake up to this? That's Villefranche-sur-Mer, on the French Riviera. Trés magnifique! As we head into the busy summer travel season, there are a few more changes in air travel. Bags no longer fly "free" on Southwest. The airline's decades-old policy—allowing passengers two checked bags for free—is officially over. The first checked bag will now cost $35, a second will cost $45. If you tend to run late, a stricter check-in policy for United Airlines begins next week. If you're flying domestic, you must check in at least 45 minutes before your flight's scheduled departure. This applies whether or not you are checking in a bag. The policy takes effect June 3. And don't forget... TSA now wants to see your REAL ID, or other acceptable forms of identification, like a passport. The 8:15 a.m. scene in front of the school that sits on a dusty, sun-soaked residential street in Brownsville, Texas, just across the border with Mexico, looks much like any other elementary or middle school in that chaotic period before the morning bell. Groups of tousled boys and girls trickle, saunter and dawdle into a nondescript building where they will spend the next few hours, in theory, learning. These kids, though, seem more jubilant than might be expected for a Tuesday morning. The days of dodging class or suffering from a lack of motivation appear to be a thing of the past at Alpha School, a private pre-K through eighth grade institution that utilizes personalized artificial intelligence to teach an entire day of core academic lessons in just two hours. Read more from Newsweek's Joshua Rhett Miller. In other news... Changes to COVID vaccine policy: The CDC is no longer encouraging the vaccines for pregnant women and healthy children, marking a shift in federal public health guidance. Read more. The CDC is no longer encouraging the vaccines for pregnant women and healthy children, marking a shift in federal public health guidance. Read more. Working extreme hours may change your brain: Working long hours may change the structure of your brain, including regions associated with emotional regulation and executive function—such as problem solving and working memory—new research shows. Here's how. This is a preview of The Good Life—Tap here to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Gluten-free goods at bakeries popular during Celiac Awareness Month
ELLINGTON, Conn. (WWLP) – May is Celiac Disease Awareness Month. Some local businesses offer gluten-free goods and no cross-contamination, which allows those with the autoimmune disorder to eat safely. West Side Creamy Cones in search of all-natural rainbow sprinkles ahead of FDA's phaseout of artificial food dyes 'My mom has Celiac Disease. It's really hard to find places that accommodate that,' said Christine Lorentzen of Orange County, California. 'My mom is in rehab right now after a fall. I'm bringing gluten-free food there and I'm educating the staff and the kitchen on what is safe for her to eat.' LuAnn's Bakery & Cafe in Ellington, Conn., offers a variety of gluten-free goods. They also have a dedicated gluten-free panini maker. All of their gluten-free items are made in a separate kitchen, to make sure there is no cross-contamination. 'Three years ago, when we moved our bakery from this location to a couple miles down the road, we had a lot more space and ability to carve out more specific space,' said Josh Virkler, Owner of LuAnn's Bakery & Cafe. 'So we now have a fully separate gluten-free kitchen. We can now comfortably call our kitchen gluten-free.' The Celiac Disease Foundation says the autoimmune disorder is hereditary. If your parent, child, or sibling has it, you have a one in 10 risk of developing it. Celiac can also develop at any age after consuming gluten. The foundation says worldwide, only 30% of people are properly diagnosed. To learn more about the Celiac Disease Foundation, visit WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBC
02-04-2025
- Health
- CBC
Living with celiac disease: When a single crumb can hurt you
When Ana Amezcua's family moved from Mexico to Canada in 2019, she never anticipated what would soon unfold with her daughter René, who was just five years old. "We noticed that within a week she started being always sick, like with a lot of fever, she couldn't stand up out of the bed, she lost a lot of weight," said Amezcua, who lives in Moncton. "We were going to the ER, but apparently she had nothing." That was when she remembered a TV show she had watched that talked about celiac disease and then everything started to make sense. Since moving to Canada, the family's diet included more wheat products, which would trigger someone who has celiac. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that primarily affects the small intestine when the person ingests gluten, which is found in wheat, barley and rye. Symptoms differ from person to person, according to the Celiac Disease Foundation. Some common symptoms include abdominal pain, cognitive impairment, migraines, fatigue, skin rash, joint pain and vomiting. According to the foundation, celiac can also lead to long-term health conditions, such as heart disease, liver failure, small bowel cancers and neurological symptoms. Amezcua began advocating for her daughter to get tested for celiac, and when she got the positive result, everything changed. Eating at home was safe. Amezcua, who is a certified chef, adapted her cooking to René's needs. But when she was anywhere else, there was always the fear that, even if a food appeared to be free of gluten, it could still be cross-contaminated, which could still cause extreme sickness. She said restaurants will often say they are celiac safe, but her daughter could still get sick if her food shares a countertop or frying pan with an item that contains gluten. Aislynn Slupsky, also a Moncton resident, has experienced similar challenges since her daughter, Kalina, was diagnosed at the age of four. She said her family had to get entirely new pots, pans, a toaster and even dedicated cutlery to ensure Kalina didn't get sick. WATCH | 'It didn't even cross our mind': Even Play-Doh is off limits for kids with celiac disease 1 day ago Duration 0:46 And when Kalina started school last year, that came with its own set of challenges. Slupsky found out that Play-Doh contains wheat and her daughter wouldn't be able to participate in the class activity, unless she found an alternative, because it was too risky if Kalina were to touch her mouth after playing. It was something that hadn't crossed her mind until she was confronted with the situation. While most people understand that people with celiac can't have bread products, many non-bread products also contain gluten, such as soy sauce, some types of vinegar, certain taco seasonings, some blue or cottage cheeses and many types of ice cream. Slupsky has had to tell Kalina not to take food from other people, but it's not always easy to explain why some kids can have things and she can't. "Some adults don't like to be told what to do, so imagine a five-year-old," she said. "She hasn't really known any difference, because, you know, she was four when it all started, but you can definitely see the frustration in her whenever friends get to participate and she doesn't." The isolation in school settings can be one of the hardest parts of having the disease — as was the case for Amber MacDonald when she was diagnosed with celiac in Grade 11. The 23-year-old Miramichi resident said that she often felt left out in school, as if she were a burden on her school and even society as a whole. After her diagnosis, MacDonald realized that grabbing a bite at the cafeteria or sharing a treat with her classmates was something she took for granted. She remembers a day that her school had a pancake breakfast as a way to promote school spirit. "To sit in a cafeteria surrounded by the entire school eating this pancake breakfast and being able to share in this moment altogether, and being one of the only ones sitting there without … it was just kind of an uncomfortable feeling." MacDonald said she hopes that the knowledge of celiac disease continues to grow, so people realize that being gluten-free isn't just a fad for those who suffer from celiac and they aren't being dramatic when it comes to cross-contamination. "I will live with this for the rest of my life, and the only way for me to live a life that is not in excruciating pain is to eat an entirely gluten-free diet," she said. "Having that one crumb or eating at that one restaurant that doesn't have great rules and regulations for cross-contamination would genuinely cause me weeks and weeks and weeks of pain and potentially long-term damage that might cause serious health issues down the road."
