gf4life's Blog

Here is a list of symptoms associated with celiac disease that I put together to give to my doctor. I would like to know how many of the symptoms any of you have ( or had in the past if you a gluten-free now). I have 32 symptoms off this list, many of which taken separately could have been something else, but when you look at them together you can tell there is something really wrong! If you have anything to add to this list that would be great. Most of this was compiled from the aafp.org and celiac.com websites info on celiac symptoms.List of symptoms associated with Celiac Disease (also known as Celiac Sprue and Gluten Intolerance):Lassitude (a term describing a feeling of tiredness, weakness or exhaustion)Inanition (exhaustion, as from lack of nourishment)DepressionFatigue (often chronic)IrritabilityFuzzy-mindedness after gluten ingestionDental enamel defects (lots of dental cavities due to weak enamel)General malnutrition with or without weightlossAny problem associated with vitamin deficienciesDiarrheaConstipationLactose intoleranceFlatulenceAnorexiaNauseaVomitingBurning sensation in the throatAbdominal pain and bloatingBorborygmi (audible bowel sounds)Abdominal distentionSteatorrhea (fatty stools that float rather than sink)Foul smelling stoolsBulky, greasy stoolsAnemia (iron deficiency)Hemorrhagic diathesis (bleeding disorder)Osteoporosis/osteopenia (bone loss or thinning)Bone pain (especially nocturnal)White flecks on fingernailsShort stature (due to slow growth)ArthritisRheumatoid arthritisArthralgia (pain in the joints)Tetany (spasms and twitching of the muscles)Parasthesia (abnormal or impaired skin sensation including burning, prickling, itching, or tingling)Amenorrhea (absence of menstrual bleeding)Delayed pubertyInfertilityImpotenceCheilosis (inflammation, cracking and dryness of the lips)*Angular cheilosis (specifically cracking in the corners of the lips)Glossitis (swollen tongue)Stomatitis (any form of inflammation or ulceration of the mouth, such as mouth ulcers, cold sores, thrush, etc.)Purpura (purple or red spots on your skin caused by bleeding under the skin, more common in elderly)Follicular hyperkeratosis (corns, calluses, plantar warts, psoriasis, nail fungus)Atopic dermatitis (a tendency towards allergies and a predisposition to various allergic reactions)*Scaly dermatitis (inflammation of the skin, includes dandruff and topical allergic reactions)Hyperpigmented dermatitis (can't find the definition, must have something to do with the color of the rash?)Alopecia areata (loss or absence of hair, leaving the skin looking and feeling normal)Edema (accumulation of serum-like fluid in the body tissues)Ascites (accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity-the space between the abdominal wall and the organs)Selective IgA deficiencySeizures, with or without occipital calcificationHepatitis (inflammation of the liver, may be acute or chronic)Dermatitis herpetiformis (skin rash characterized as intensely itchy skin eruptions like red bumps and blisters. Burning, stinging and itching is very bad. It appears in groups around the body, most often on the head, elbows, knees, and buttocks, much like the lesions of Herpes which is why the name is herpetiformis-meaning "like herpes". Must be diagnosed by a doctor. Only occurs in celiac patients.)Liver diseaseXerophthalmia (an eye disorder which causes the conjunctiva and cornea to become abnormally dry)Night blindness (inability to see well in dim light)Thyroid diseaseUnexplained neuropathic illnesses, including ataxia and peripheral neuropathy*Peripheral neuropathy (disease, inflammation and damage to the peripheral nerves, which connect the central nervous system to the sense organs, muscles, glands, and internal organs. Damage to sensory nerves may cause numbness, tingling, sensations of cold, or pain, often starting at the hands or feet and moving toward the body center. Damage to the nerves of the autonomic nervous system may lead to blurred vision, impaired or absent sweating, headaches, episodes of faintness associated with falls in blood pressure, disturbance of gastric, intestinal, bladder or sexual functioning, including incontinence and impotence. In some cases there is no obvious or detectable cause)*Ataxia (incoordination and clumsiness, affecting balance and gait, limb or eye movements and/or speech, making one appear as if they were drunk)DementiaDiabetes mellitus type 1Sjogren's syndrome (eyes, mouth, and vagina become extremely dry)Collagen disordersDown syndromeIgA neuropathyFibrosing alveolitis of the lung (body produces antibodies against its own lung tissue, creates a dry cough and breathing difficulty upon exertion)Hyposplenism, with atrophy of the spleen (underactive spleen)Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)Lymphoma (any group of cancers in which the cells of the lymphoid tissue multiply unchecked)Leukopenia (abnormal decrease in white blood cells, often reducing immune system function)Coagulopathy (blood clotting disorder)Thrombocytosis (low blood platelets/damaged platelets, causing large amounts of bruises due to uncontrolled bleeding under the skin)Melanosis (black or brown discoloration of the colon, usually due to chronic constipation)Erythema nodosum (red-purple swellings on the legs and sometimes arms, with fever and joint pain)In children:Failure to thriveIrritabilityPalenessFretfulnessInability to concentrateEmotional withdrawal or excessive dependenceNauseaPale, malodorous, bulky stoolsFrequent, foamy diarrheaWasted buttocksAnorexiaMalnutrition:*With protuberant abdomen (with or without painful bloating)*Muscle wasting of buttocks, thighs, and proximal arms*With or without diarrhea(as well as any number of the above diseases and disorders)Additional information:Reactions to ingestion of gluten can be immediate, or delayed for days, weeks or even months.The amazing thing about celiac disease is that no two individuals who have it seem to have the same set of symptoms or reactions. A person might have several of the symptoms listed above, a few of them, one, or none. There are even cases in which obesity turned out to be a symptom of celiac disease. (In fact it is starting to be recognised that this is a VERY common symptom! There seem to be at least as many overweight Celiacs as there are underweight Celiacs.)