Celiac disease is a digestive disorder in which eating gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley, sets off an immune response that damages the lining of the small intestine. Over time that damage makes it hard for your body to absorb the nutrients it needs from food.
Because the symptoms can look like many other conditions, celiac disease is often missed for years. The good news is that once it is identified, it can be managed well, and the small intestine can heal with the right changes. Our gastroenterologists in Akron and Massillon are here to help you find answers and feel better.
Symptoms
Celiac disease affects people differently, and some have digestive symptoms while others mostly notice the effects of poor nutrient absorption. Common signs include:
- Abdominal pain, bloating, and gas
- Diarrhea
- Unexpected weight loss
- Anemia and fatigue
- Joint pain
- Bone thinning, or osteoporosis
- A persistent, itchy skin rash
Causes and risk
Celiac disease is an immune condition, not a simple food sensitivity. When you have it, gluten triggers your immune system to attack the small intestine lining. The tendency runs in families and is linked to specific genes, so having a close relative with celiac disease raises your own risk.
How we diagnose it
We start with your history and symptoms, then use antibody blood tests that look for the immune markers tied to celiac disease. Genetic testing can help rule the condition in or out in some cases.
To confirm the diagnosis and see how much the intestine has been affected, we look directly at the small intestine and take small tissue samples. We do this with an upper endoscopy, and in some cases a capsule endoscopy, a swallowed camera that photographs areas of the small intestine that are harder to reach. It helps to stay on a gluten-containing diet until testing is complete, since going gluten-free early can hide the disease.
How we treat it
The foundation of treatment is a strict, lifelong gluten-free diet. Removing gluten lets the intestine heal and usually clears up symptoms over time. We help you understand which foods and hidden ingredients to avoid, and we check for and treat nutrient shortfalls with vitamin and mineral supplements. When inflammation is severe, oral steroids can calm it while the gut recovers. We follow up to make sure your symptoms are improving and your nutrition is back on track.
When to see us
If you have ongoing digestive trouble, unexplained anemia or fatigue, or symptoms that flare after meals with gluten, it is worth being evaluated. Catching celiac disease early protects your nutrition and your long-term health.
To schedule an evaluation, request an appointment or call The Gastroenterology Group at (330) 869-0954. We welcome new patients and will help you get to the bottom of your symptoms.