HEALTH

Is coeliac disease the reason you’re feeling NQR? Here’s how to tell

19 August, 2022 . 0

Coeliac disease can be hard to detect, which means a worrying number of cases go undiagnosed. Here are some of the most common – and more unusual – symptoms to watch for.

It affects about one in 70 Australians, but an estimated 80 per cent of those with coeliac disease don’t yet realise they have it.

Yet, it has the potential to trigger serious health consequences, so spotting the potential signs is vital for a timely diagnosis.

What is coeliac disease?

An immune-based condition that affects both men and women, coeliac disease can develop at any age, including infancy once gluten is introduced into the diet.

In those with coeliac disease, the immune system reacts abnormally to gluten — commonly found in wheat, rye, barley and oats — causing damage to the small bowel.

Coeliac Australia health advocacy officer Penny Dellsperger says undiagnosed coeliac disease can be detrimental to long-term health.

“If coeliac disease is untreated for a long period of time, there are increased risks of osteoporosis, certain types of cancer (non-Hodgkin lymphoma and intestinal adenocarcinoma) and other severe health complications, while fertility can also be impacted,” Penny says.

Gluten-free life: Kids and coeliac disease

The challenges of diagnosing coeliac disease

“The issue with coeliac disease is it’s known to present with a large variety of non-specific symptoms and, for that reason, it’s often not picked up when it should be,” Penny explains.

While gastrointestinal symptoms are common, it’s not everyone’s experience, Penny says.

“We describe coeliac disease more as a systemic condition, which means it can affect any part of the body,” she says.

According to Penny, signs of coeliac disease may include:

Gastrointestinal symptoms:

Diarrhoea
Constipation
Bloating
Nausea and/or vomiting
Cramping
Flatulence
Abdominal pain

Fatigue, weakness and lethargy: Tiredness is often caused by the body’s inability to absorb nutrients and vitamins, resulting in deficiencies in iron, vitamin D, B12 and zinc.

Unexplained weight loss: This is also due to the body’s inability to absorb nutrients, leading to malnutrition and weight loss.

Ulcers: These often occur in the mouth and can be both severe and recurrent.

Headaches and neurological effects: Headaches and migraines are common, while peripheral neuropathy symptoms, such as tingling in fingers and toes, can also occur.

Failure to thrive, or delayed puberty: Infants may not gain weight or length as expected, while malabsorption can result in adolescents experiencing delays in growth and puberty.

Less common symptoms of coeliac disease

Unexplained infertility or recurrent miscarriage: According to Penny, this can occur in both men and women and is often overlooked when analysing reasons for infertility.

Raised liver enzymes: If there is no known cause of raised liver enzymes — which can be uncovered via routine blood tests — it can be a sign of coeliac disease.

Dental enamel defects: These include tooth discolouration; white, yellow or brown spots; poor enamel; and translucent-looking teeth.

How is coeliac disease treated?

Because it is a lifelong condition, the only treatment for is to switch to a gluten-free diet.

“Once you remove gluten, you remove the trigger for the inflammation and the immune response so, over time, the body is able to heal,” Penny explains.

According to clinical nutritionist Georgia Betts, common foods that regularly contain gluten include pasta, bread, cereal, crackers, pastries, seasonings and spice mixes, and soy sauce.

“It’s important to read the labels on packaged foods as a lot of sauces and pre-made items can contain gluten,” Georgia says.

While it can be daunting, managing coeliac disease has been made easier in recent years as gluten-free products and options have become more readily available.

“My favourite gluten-free options to recommend are buckwheat and legume-based pastas,” Georgia says.

“Some great meal ideas include any kind of rice dishes, legume curries, or roast veggie salads with quinoa.”