Celiac disease often goes undiagnosed and untreated. The stomach being upset and feelings of indigestion could be attributed to causes we can help you diagnose. Your gastroenterologist can help you find out if you have celiac disease, so you can adjust your diet to feel better. Dr. Sunny Lo at SoCal Digestive Wellness in Arcadia, CA, offers a wide range of GI services, including diagnosis and treatment of celiac disease.

What You Need To Know About Celiac Disease

If you have celiac disease, it means your immune system is reacting poorly to eating foods containing gluten. Gluten is a type of protein found in common foods like wheat, barley, or rye.

Undiagnosed celiac disease can cause damage to the lining of your small intestine so you don’t absorb nutrients efficiently. You may have celiac disease if you are experiencing:

• Anemia or abdominal pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Frequent diarrhea or constipation
• Frequent bloating and gas
• Chronic fatigue or weight loss

If you are experiencing any of the signs or symptoms listed above, you should visit your gastroenterologist to be tested for celiac disease. Your gastroenterologist may recommend blood tests to check for antibody proteins, indicating a reaction to gluten.

If you have celiac disease, you need to adhere to a strict diet to avoid gluten. You will need to avoid eating foods that contain:

• Barley
• Bulgur
• Durum
• Farina
• Graham flour
• Malt
• Rye
• Semolina
• Spelt
• Triticale

Gluten can also be found in products not normally associated with gluten. These products include:

• Modified food starch, preservatives, and food stabilizers
• Prescription and over-the-counter medications
• Vitamin and mineral supplements
• Herbal and nutritional supplements
• Lipstick products
• Toothpaste and mouthwash
• Communion wafers
• Envelope and stamp glue
• Play dough
• Some makeup products

To treat severe damage to the small intestine, your gastroenterologist may recommend steroids to reduce inflammation, so the intestine can heal.

Want To Know More About Celiac Disease?

To learn more about the signs, symptoms, and treatment of celiac disease, call Dr. Sunny Lo at SoCal Digestive Wellness in Arcadia, CA. You can reach him in the office by calling (818) 659-5887, so call today.