Celiac Disease is insidious in that it has no typical set of symptoms (if any at all), may mimic the symptoms of other conditions (such as irritable bowel syndrome, gastric ulcers, Crohn's disease, parasite infections, anemia, skin disorders or a nervous condition), and may cause symptoms that a doctor could mistake for a psychological problem.
Some of the symptoms people with celiac disease experience are:
- intermittent diarrhea
- abdominal pain and bloating
- irritability
- depression
- stomach upset
- joint pain
- muscle cramps
- skin rash
- mouth sores
- dental and bone disorders, and
- tingling (and numbness) in the legs and feet (neuropathy)
- dermatitis herpetiformis
Some indications of malabsorption that may result from celiac disease include:
- Weight loss
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal cramps, gas and bloating
- General weakness
- Foul-smelling or grayish stools that may be fatty or oily, including stools that float
- Stunted growth (in children)
- Osteoporosis
[Editor's Note: Because of the strong possibility of a wrong diagnosis with celiac disease, the bottom line has to be: Trust Yourself! If you suspect celiac disease but your doctor insists that you have a psychological problem, you may need a new doctor. At the very least, be sure to get a second (and maybe even a third) opinion, even if the HMO frowns on it.]
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