Fatigue – the under-recognised symptom of coeliac disease There are some groups of people in whom gluten really can cause a particularly devastating effect on energy levels. Extreme tiredness is a common symptom of undiagnosed coeliac disease, and for some, it may be the only symptom.
You may have a gluten intolerance if you get sick after eating gluten, a type of protein. You might feel tired, nauseous or bloated. Another name for gluten intolerance is non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS).
People with diagnosed celiac disease who follow a gluten-free diet typically experience gastrointestinal symptoms following an accidental glutening. Abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and gas are common reactions to gluten in people with celiac disease.
Fatigue isn't just “feeling tired” for a short time, like during an afternoon energy dip — fatigue is often relentless and persistent. This feeling of perpetual exhaustion is common in autoimmune disorders, including celiac disease.
A survey published in Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics in July 2016 revealed that about 68% of people with celiac disease have a reaction every time they consume gluten. In most cases, symptoms develop within 60 minutes but, for a small percentage of people, symptoms are delayed by 12 hours or more.
Symptoms of eating gluten include diarrhoea, stomach pains and lethargy. The reaction is not the same as an allergic reaction and does not cause anaphylactic shock. The symptoms may last from a few hours to a few days.
With the most common symptoms including lack of energy, difficulty concentrating and bodily aches, gluten-induced fatigue can heavily reduce an individual's quality of life.
Malnutrition, Anemia May Cause Fatigue in Celiac Disease
1 Some researchers speculate that fatigue may be caused by malnutrition, at least in those with celiac disease—celiac-induced intestinal damage can mean your body doesn't absorb nutrients well.
Celiac disease is clinically defined as classic, non-classic, subclinical, potential, and refractory.
With gluten intolerance, your body has trouble absorbing the protein gluten that's found in wheat, barley, and rye. As you continue to eat these foods you may have a wide array of digestive problems – weight gain being one of them. Gluten intolerance can cause gas, cramping, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation.
Refined carbs are digested quickly, prompting a spike in blood-sugar levels similar to what happens when you eat sugar. When your blood sugar crashes, your energy is likely to feel the blow. Plus, white bread and the like have been associated with higher levels of inflammation, which can promote fatigue.
Sleep Problems Persist Despite Gluten-Free Diet
Evidence from some medical studies indicates problems with insomnia and poor-quality sleep, plus problems with overwhelming fatigue and sleeping too much may affect celiacs most when they're first diagnosed.
The term gluten belly is used to define the feeling that some people experience after eating foods containing gluten. This sensation usually consists of feeling sick, tired, or bloated.
While fatigue may be a natural and transient part of life, in a chronic condition such as celiac disease, these symptoms are unrelieved by adequate sleep or rest. Once diagnosed, the fatigue suffered by celiac disease patients often improves with the gluten-free diet, though not always, according to the study authors.
Complications of coeliac disease only tend to affect people who continue to eat gluten, or those who have not yet been diagnosed with the condition, which can be a common problem in milder cases. Potential long-term complications include: weakening of the bones (osteoporosis) iron deficiency anaemia.
A typical gluten face will present with red, puffy cheeks, with spots of hyperpigmentation around the chin.
If you have celiac disease or gluten intolerance, often gluten causes chronic fatigue. The good news is, going gluten-free can reduce fatigue.
Celiac disease can be painful. Some common pain symptoms are: Stomach pain or swelling (bloating) that keeps coming back. Muscle cramps or bone pain.
A group of proteins, known as gluten, present in most grains like wheat, barley and rye, causes a reaction in folks, who cannot digest it properly. Symptoms range from mild to severe and can include digestive distress (bloating, stomach ache, diarrhea or constipation), fatigue, headache and nausea.