What are the signs and symptoms of celiac disease in adults?

Doctor's Answers 1

Photo of Dr Wai Leong Quan
Dr Wai Leong Quan

Gastroenterologist

What is Celiac Disease?

Celiac disease is characterized by the immune system associated degeneration of the small bowel's inner lining due to sensitivity to gluten-containing food.

Symptoms of Celiac Disease?

Early symptoms of Celiac Disease include:

  • loose stools
  • possibly weight loss.

However, the spectrum of presentation may vary from person to person. Some people may present symptoms such as:

In established cases of Celiac Disease, signs of malabsorption such as iron, folate, or vitamin B12 deficiency becomes more obvious. Their associated symptoms are:

  • Weakness or numbness
  • Sub-fertility
  • Headaches

Many people remain thin and some even developed chronic diarrhoea with itchy skin rashes and blisters.

How is Celiac Disease Diagnosed?

The diagnosis is usually made through blood tests and/or through endoscopy with biopsies of the small bowel mucosa showing the characteristic degenerative changes (villous atrophy).

How is Celiac Disease treated?

Treatment is usually straightforward with a gluten-free diet. Many of the symptoms may disappear after adopting such a diet.

For more information, read this article on how to manage Celiac Disease as advised by a gastroenterologist.

Dr Quan

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Parasitic infections such as worms in the digestive tract are not commonly seen in Singapore with the current high standard of living. Most of the cases seen are either imported or contracted during overseas trips. Due to the acidic environment in the stomach, worms, when present, are mostly present in the small and large intestines. The clinical presentation can be non-specific including bloating, abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, blood-stained stools, and itchiness at the anus.

Photo of Dr Wai Leong Quan

Answered By

Dr Wai Leong Quan

Gastroenterologist

What kinds of surgeries may be needed for celiac disease?

Surgical treatment is rarely required in the management of celiac disease unless complications have developed. These complications include severe ulcers and stricturing of the intestine, significant bleeding or perforation and they mostly developed in poorly controlled cases and cases not responding to conventional treatment of a strict gluten-free diet. At times, a unique form of lymphatic cancer known as T-cell lymphoma may develop in the intestines requiring the use of chemotherapy and local radiation treatment.

Photo of Dr Wai Leong Quan

Answered By

Dr Wai Leong Quan

Gastroenterologist

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