&lt;h1 data-start=&quot;272&quot; data-end=&quot;309&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Is Celiac Disease?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;311&quot; data-end=&quot;632&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Imagine your digestive system as a comfy welcome mat &amp;mdash; it lets the good stuff into your body and sends the rest on its way. Now imagine that mat gets &lt;em data-start=&quot;461&quot; data-end=&quot;478&quot;&gt;super sensitive&lt;/em&gt; to something most people handle just fine &amp;mdash; like the gluten in bread, pasta, cookies, and lots of other foods. That&amp;rsquo;s what happens in &lt;strong data-start=&quot;613&quot; data-end=&quot;631&quot;&gt;celiac disease&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;634&quot; data-end=&quot;914&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Celiac disease is an &lt;strong data-start=&quot;655&quot; data-end=&quot;675&quot;&gt;immune condition&lt;/strong&gt; &amp;mdash; not an allergy. That means when someone with celiac disease eats gluten, their immune system gets confused and attacks their &lt;em data-start=&quot;803&quot; data-end=&quot;824&quot;&gt;own small intestine&lt;/em&gt;. It&amp;rsquo;s like having an over-protective guard that mistakes healthy cells for troublemakers.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;916&quot; data-end=&quot;1231&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;When this happens over time, the tiny finger-like structures (called &lt;strong data-start=&quot;985&quot; data-end=&quot;994&quot;&gt;villi&lt;/strong&gt;) that line the small intestine &amp;mdash; and help you absorb nutrients &amp;mdash; get damaged. With fewer villi doing their job, your body has a harder time pulling out the vitamins, minerals, and fuel it needs. And that shows up in all sorts of ways!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;916&quot; data-end=&quot;1231&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;1238&quot; data-end=&quot;1268&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Is Gluten, Anyway?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;1270&quot; data-end=&quot;1299&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Gluten is a protein found in:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1303&quot; data-end=&quot;1310&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Wheat&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1313&quot; data-end=&quot;1321&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Barley&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1324&quot; data-end=&quot;1329&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Rye&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1332&quot; data-end=&quot;1370&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Some oats (unless labeled gluten-free)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1372&quot; data-end=&quot;1597&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;So foods like bread, pasta, crackers, cereal, cakes, and beer are often full of gluten. For people with celiac disease, eating these can trigger an immune reaction &amp;mdash; and that can lead to digestion problems and other symptoms.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1372&quot; data-end=&quot;1597&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;1604&quot; data-end=&quot;1644&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;Why It&amp;rsquo;s Not Just a &amp;ldquo;Tummy Ache&amp;rdquo;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1646&quot; data-end=&quot;1897&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Unlike a one-time stomach bug, celiac disease is a &lt;strong data-start=&quot;1697&quot; data-end=&quot;1720&quot;&gt;long-term condition&lt;/strong&gt;. Even small amounts of gluten &amp;mdash; like crumbs from toast or a pinch of soy sauce &amp;mdash; can trigger the immune response and damage the intestine &lt;em data-start=&quot;1859&quot; data-end=&quot;1896&quot;&gt;even if you feel fine in the moment&lt;/em&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1899&quot; data-end=&quot;2017&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;That&amp;rsquo;s one reason this condition can be tricky &amp;mdash; symptoms can be subtle and not always tied directly to eating gluten.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1899&quot; data-end=&quot;2017&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h1 data-start=&quot;2024&quot; data-end=&quot;2079&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Symptoms, Causes &amp;amp; When to Get Checked&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2081&quot; data-end=&quot;2235&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Celiac disease can affect more than just your gut. Some people have noticeable digestion symptoms; others feel effects that seem unrelated to food at all!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2081&quot; data-end=&quot;2235&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;2242&quot; data-end=&quot;2264&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Common Symptoms&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2266&quot; data-end=&quot;2308&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;People with celiac disease may experience:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;2310&quot; data-end=&quot;2332&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2310&quot; data-end=&quot;2332&quot;&gt;Digestive symptoms&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2335&quot; data-end=&quot;2353&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Gas and bloating&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2356&quot; data-end=&quot;2370&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Stomach pain&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2373&quot; data-end=&quot;2399&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Diarrhea or constipation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2402&quot; data-end=&quot;2410&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Nausea&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;2412&quot; data-end=&quot;2443&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2412&quot; data-end=&quot;2443&quot;&gt;Energy &amp;amp; nutrition symptoms&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2446&quot; data-end=&quot;2455&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Fatigue&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2458&quot; data-end=&quot;2471&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Weight loss&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2474&quot; data-end=&quot;2521&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Nutrient deficiencies (like iron or vitamins)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;2523&quot; data-end=&quot;2538&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2523&quot; data-end=&quot;2538&quot;&gt;Other clues&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2541&quot; data-end=&quot;2553&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Joint pain&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2556&quot; data-end=&quot;2596&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Rash (called dermatitis herpetiformis)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2599&quot; data-end=&quot;2632&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Mood changes, like irritability&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2635&quot; data-end=&quot;2646&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Headaches&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2649&quot; data-end=&quot;2685&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Tingling or numbness in hands/feet&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2687&quot; data-end=&quot;2802&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;And some people have &lt;strong data-start=&quot;2708&quot; data-end=&quot;2731&quot;&gt;NO obvious symptoms&lt;/strong&gt; at all &amp;mdash; but still have intestinal damage happening behind the scenes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2687&quot; data-end=&quot;2802&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;2809&quot; data-end=&quot;2830&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why It Happens&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2832&quot; data-end=&quot;3001&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Celiac disease is caused by your &lt;strong data-start=&quot;2865&quot; data-end=&quot;2905&quot;&gt;own immune system reacting to gluten&lt;/strong&gt;. We don&amp;rsquo;t yet know exactly why some people get it and others don&amp;rsquo;t, but a few things are known:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3003&quot; data-end=&quot;3191&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;✔ It &lt;em data-start=&quot;3008&quot; data-end=&quot;3026&quot;&gt;runs in families&lt;/em&gt; &amp;mdash; genes play a big role&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;3050&quot; data-end=&quot;3053&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;✔ It&amp;rsquo;s more common in people with other autoimmune conditions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;3114&quot; data-end=&quot;3117&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;✔ Certain environmental triggers (like infections) might &amp;ldquo;flip the switch&amp;rdquo;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3193&quot; data-end=&quot;3402&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;It isn&amp;rsquo;t caused by eating gluten alone &amp;mdash; many people eat gluten their whole lives without problems! But in someone with celiac disease, the immune system mistakes gluten for a threat and goes into attack mode.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3193&quot; data-end=&quot;3402&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;3409&quot; data-end=&quot;3436&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Is It Diagnosed?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;3438&quot; data-end=&quot;3481&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Diagnosing celiac disease usually includes:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3485&quot; data-end=&quot;3538&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;3485&quot; data-end=&quot;3500&quot;&gt;Blood tests&lt;/strong&gt; to look for specific immune markers&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3541&quot; data-end=&quot;3619&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;3541&quot; data-end=&quot;3554&quot;&gt;Endoscopy&lt;/strong&gt; (a tiny camera through the mouth) to check the small intestine&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3622&quot; data-end=&quot;3699&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Sometimes &lt;strong data-start=&quot;3632&quot; data-end=&quot;3649&quot;&gt;genetic tests&lt;/strong&gt; to see if the celiac-associated genes are present&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3701&quot; data-end=&quot;3812&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;It&amp;rsquo;s important &lt;strong data-start=&quot;3716&quot; data-end=&quot;3766&quot;&gt;not to start a gluten-free diet before testing&lt;/strong&gt;, because that can interfere with the results.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3701&quot; data-end=&quot;3812&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;3819&quot; data-end=&quot;3848&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What About Treatment?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;3850&quot; data-end=&quot;3953&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Good news: the only effective treatment is a strict gluten-free diet for life. That means avoiding:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3955&quot; data-end=&quot;4024&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;❌ Wheat&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;3962&quot; data-end=&quot;3965&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;❌ Barley&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;3973&quot; data-end=&quot;3976&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;❌ Rye&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;3981&quot; data-end=&quot;3984&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;❌ Many processed foods containing gluten&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4026&quot; data-end=&quot;4216&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Many people feel better within weeks of removing gluten, and intestinal healing can continue for months. A dietitian can be a great partner in helping you learn labels and safe alternatives.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4026&quot; data-end=&quot;4216&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;4223&quot; data-end=&quot;4250&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;When to See a Doctor&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;4252&quot; data-end=&quot;4296&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Talk to a healthcare provider if you notice:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4300&quot; data-end=&quot;4333&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Persistent digestive discomfort&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4336&quot; data-end=&quot;4366&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Fatigue that doesn&amp;rsquo;t go away&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4369&quot; data-end=&quot;4392&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Nutrient deficiencies&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4395&quot; data-end=&quot;4421&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Rash that comes and goes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4424&quot; data-end=&quot;4458&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Family history of celiac disease&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4461&quot; data-end=&quot;4503&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Iron-deficiency anemia without clear cause&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4505&quot; data-end=&quot;4646&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Even if symptoms seem mild or unrelated to food, checking for celiac &amp;mdash; especially with routine blood tests &amp;mdash; can help you get answers sooner.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4505&quot; data-end=&quot;4646&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;4653&quot; data-end=&quot;4676&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Friendly Takeaway&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4678&quot; data-end=&quot;5026&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Celiac disease is your immune system&amp;rsquo;s &amp;ldquo;mistaken identity&amp;rdquo; response to gluten. It can show up in lots of ways &amp;mdash; from belly troubles to fatigue and beyond &amp;mdash; and it&amp;rsquo;s best handled with a lifelong gluten-free diet once properly diagnosed. Knowing what to watch for and when to talk to a clinician can help you protect your gut and your overall health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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