About Celiac Disease

A genetic autoimmune disease, often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed because of vague symptoms or atypical presentation and estimated to affect as many as 1 in 133 people in North America.

Common Symptoms of Celiac Disease

The following symptoms may be present in varied combinations:

  • anemia (iron and/or folic acid)
  • chronic fatigue
  • vitamin deficiency (A, D, E, K & B12)
  • depression
  • diarrhea and/or constipation
  • flatulence, bloating, abdominal pain
  • nausea and/or vomiting
  • mouth ulcers
  • weight loss
  • easy bruising
  • bone/joint pain
  • edema (swelling) of hands and/or feet
  • lactose intolerance
  • amenorrhea

Additional Symptoms in Children

Children may also experience the following:

  • dental abnormalities
  • irritability
  • failure to grow
  • delayed puberty

Associated Conditions

These are some associated conditions:

  • dermatitis herpetiformis
  • type 1 diabetes
  • thyroid disease
  • osteoporosis
  • infertility and miscarriages
  • lymphoma
  • neural tube defects in newborns

Treatment

There is no cure for Celiac Disease, but the treatment is 100% effective and no surgery or drugs are required. The only treatment is a strict, gluten-free diet for life.

This means:

  • no wheat, including triticale, spelt, kamut, semolina, farina or other forms of wheat
  • no barley, including malt and malt vinegar
  • no oats (unless pure and uncontaminated, currently unavailable in North America)
  • no rye

Some hidden sources of gluten are:

  • starch or modified starch of unknown origin
  • hydrolyzed vegetable or plant protein of unknown origin
  • drugs with a starch filler of unknown origin
  • spices/seasonings with added starch of unknown origin

Important Information About the Safety of Oats

Please read this important article about the safety of oats: www.celiac.ca/Articles/PABoats.html