Celiac disease was once thought to affect only children. Today, however, the illness can strike even adults and can involve different organs of the body. Symptoms of the disease may vary or in some cases, there may be no symptoms at all.

Celiac disease is am autoimmune disorder of the small intestine that results from the inability of the organ to properly digest food containing gliadin. Gliadin is a type of gluten protein found in wheat but for people who have intolerance to this ingredient, abnormal bowel movement leading to the disease may result. This illness is also known by other names such as endemic sprue, non-tropical sprue, celiac sprue, gluten enteropathy and gluten intolerance.
Over the years, the symptoms of celiac disease have somehow changed. Originally, the signs included vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss and fatigue. And while the disorder mainly affects the bowel movement, symptoms associated with bowel may be less frequent or even absent.

Today, symptoms of celiac disease that involve the gastrointestinal system include diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, poor appetite, chronic bloating, stomach pain, mouth ulcers and intolerance to lactose. When left untreated for a long time, the illness has a high chance of developing into cancer of the small intestine. Other complications include ulcer formation in the small intestine and narrowing of the organ resulting from scarring.

Bowel problems are common among infants and young children. They usually show symptoms in their bowel movement and growth after eating cereals containing gluten. Children not treated right away could have stunted growth as a result of this disorder.

The small intestine’s ability to absorb nutrients is also adversely affected by celiac disease. Nutrients not properly taken in are vitamins A, D, E and K which are fat-soluble as well as minerals. This ultimately leads to weight loss and deficiencies in the important nutrients needed by the body for growth and development.

When carbohydrates and fats are not absorbed, this will make the affected person weak as he or she is not getting the right amount of energy. Anemia may also develop due to lack of iron, folic acid and vitamin B12 which are vital in blood circulation. Osteoporosis or disease affecting the bones is another possibility especially when the body cannot take in calcium and vitamin D. Additionally, vitamin K deficiency could result in abnormal coagulation and bleeding.
Celiac disease may involve primarily the internal organs but it also has other signs that people should be wary about.

- Skin problem known as dermatitis herpetiformis that causes itching.
- Neurological problems such as epilepsy, ataxia, myelopathy, peripheral neuropathy and schizophrenia.
- Stunted growth or delay in puberty in later childhood. This can take place without the bowel symptoms or malnutrition problems.
- Miscarriage and infertility.
- Autoimmune disorders including diabetes mellitus type 1, thyroiditis, biliary cirrhosis and microscopic colitis.

In most cases, a strict diet free from gluten, barley and rye is the best way to fight the disease. Other cereals and foods rich in carbohydrates but do not contain gluten such as bananas and potatoes may be consumed. Most patients who follow this diet right after diagnosis and early treatment usually recover faster.