5 Misconceptions You May Have About Celiacs Disease

Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disease in which the ingestion of gluten damages the small intestine. Celiac is a hereditary disease that runs in families and affects about 1 in 100 people worldwide. This article will discuss five things you should know about celiac disease.

1. Celiac is an Autoimmune Disease, not an Allergy  

Celiac disease is often confused with gluten allergy. On the contrary, celiac is an autoimmune disease triggered by ingesting gluten and other food proteins such as wheat and rye. Unlike food allergies that start in childhood and subside in adulthood, autoimmune diseases are a lifelong battle that creates damaging inflammation. 

2. Celiac Disease Can Be Hereditary  

Celiac disease is hereditary, which means that it runs in families. Typically, individuals with a parent, child, or sibling with celiac disease have a 1 in 10 risk of developing celiac. Like other autoimmune diseases, celiac will cluster within families. Even with a secondary family member (biological aunt, uncle, cousins) testing positive for celiac, individuals still have a 5% risk of developing the disease. It's important to note that once someone in your family tests positive for celiac, you should also consider getting screened. 

3. Symptoms of Celiac Can Vary  

Although there are common signs of celiac disease, symptoms can drastically vary from person to person. Symptoms in kids with celiac can have the more classic digestion issues, such as diarrhea and abdominal pain. At the same time, adults will not experience diarrhea at all. There are more than 2000 celiac disease symptoms, however most common include:  

• Stomach Bloating and Pain
• Diarrhea or Constipation
• Weight loss
• Vomiting
• Iron-Deficiency Anemia
• Sores inside the Mouth
• Tooth Discoloration
• Anxiety
• Depression