Celiac.com 06/13/2020 - The effects of celiac disease can vary, depending on whether the patient is following a gluten-free diet. Many of the effects of celiac disease disappear or improve significantly when the patient begins a gluten-free diet. Untreated celiac disease can lead to numerous problems, including serious associated medical conditions, some fatal.
Untreated Celiac Disease Can be Life-Threatening
People with untreated celiac disease are more likely to be afflicted with problems relating to malabsorption, including osteoporosis, tooth enamel defects, central and peripheral nervous system disease, pancreatic disease, internal hemorrhaging, organ disorders (including gall bladder, liver, and spleen), and gynecological disorders, like amenorrhea, and spontaneous abortions.
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Celiac Disease May Affect Fertility
Celiac disease may also affect fertility. Some researchers are convinced that gluten intolerance, whether or not it results in full-blown celiac disease, can impact mental functioning in some individuals and cause or aggravate autism, Aspergers syndrome, attention deficit disorder (ADD), and schizophrenia. We've done a number of articles on Fertility, Pregnancy, Miscarriage and Celiac Disease over the years.
Gluten-Free Diet Crucial to Good Celiac Health
Some of the damage may be healed or partially repaired after time on a gluten-free diet. For example, problems with infertility may be reversed. Celiacs who do not maintain a gluten-free diet also stand a much greater chance of getting certain types of cancer, especially intestinal lymphoma.
Celiac Disease and Depression
There is a building amount of medical literature showing links between Depression and Celiac Disease.
We know that Untreated Celiac Disease Often Suffer Depression, and low quality of life scores. Anxiety, depression and fatigue are common complaints in patients with untreated celiac disease and contribute significantly to lower quality of life. While aspects of these conditions may improve within a few months after starting a gluten-free diet, some patients continue to suffer from significant psychological morbidity.
Higher Depression Risk in Women with Celiac Disease
Studies have shown that women with celiac disease face higher risk for depression.
Higher Suicide Rates in Celiac Disease Patients
Several studies have shown that people with celiac disease have a higher risk for suicide than non-celiacs.
Celiac Disease is Tied to Depression in Adolescents
Celiac disease is associated with depression in adolescents.
Children and Teens with Newly Diagnosed Celiac Disease Can Face Extra Challenges
Researchers recently assessed Health-Related Quality of Life in children with celiac disease, and to compare it against data for healthy children and children with non-celiac gastrointestinal (GI) problems using established data.
Temporary Lactose Intolerance Common for Celiacs
Untreated celiac disease can cause temporary lactose intolerance. Lactose is a sugar found in dairy products. To be digested it must be broken down by an enzyme called lactase. Lactase is produced on the tips of the villi in the small intestine. Since gluten damages the villi, it is common for untreated celiacs to have problems with milk and milk products. (Yogurt and cheese are less problematic since the cultures in them break down the lactose). A gluten-free diet will usually eliminate lactose intolerance. However, a number of adults (both celiacs and non-celiacs) are lactose intolerant even with a healthy small intestine; in that case a gluten-free diet will not eliminate lactose intolerance.
Multiple Food Sensitivities Common for Celiacs
Celiacs often suffer from other food sensitivities. These may respond to a gluten-free diet--or they may not. Soy and MSG are examples of food products that many celiacs have trouble with. However, it should be noted that these other sensitivities, while troublesome, do not damage the villi. As far as we know, only gluten causes this damage.
Headaches
With or without a gluten-free diet, headaches are a common feature of celiac disease.
Ten Most Common Complaints of Celiac Patients
Some of the effects of celiac disease can be seen in the ten most common physical complaints of people who have celiac disease. Those are: Osteopenia/Osteoporosis; Anemia; Cryptogenic hypertransaminasemia; Diarrhea; Bloating; Aphthous stomatitis; Alternating bowel habit; Constipation; Gastroesophageal reflux disease and Recurrent miscarriages.
This category has a more complete listing of related disorders.
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