BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuCeliac disease – sprueSprue; Nontropical sprue; Gluten intolerance; Gluten-sensitive enteropathy; Celiac sprueCeliac disease is an autoimmune condition that damages the lining of the small intestine. This damage comes from a reaction to eating gluten. This is a substance that is found in wheat, rye, barley, and possibly oats. It is also found in food made from these ingredients.The damaged intestine is not able to absorb nutrients from food. Causes The exact cause of celiac disease is not known. The lining of the intestines have small areas called villi which project outward into the opening of the intestine. These structures help absorb nutrients. When people with celiac disease eat foods with gluten, their immune system reacts by damaging the villi. Because of the damage, the villi are unable to properly absorb iron, vitamins, and other nutrients. This may cause a number of symptoms and other health problems.The disease can develop at any point in life, from infancy to late adulthood.People who have a family member with celiac disease are at greater risk of developing the disease. The disorder is most common in Europeans.People with celiac disease are more likely to have:Autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and Sjögren syndrome Systemic lupus erythematosusSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease. In this disease, the immune system of the body mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. It c...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sjögren syndromeSjögren syndrome is an autoimmune disorder in which the glands that produce tears and saliva are destroyed. This causes dry mouth and dry eyes. The...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Addison disease Addison diseaseAddison disease is a disorder that causes the adrenal glands to not produce enough hormones.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Down syndrome Intestinal cancer Intestinal lymphoma Lactose intolerance Lactose intoleranceLactose is a type of sugar found in milk and other dairy products. An enzyme called lactase is needed by the body to digest lactose. Lactose intoler...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Thyroid disease Type 1 diabetesType 1 diabetesType 1 diabetes is a lifelong (chronic) disease in which there is a high level of sugar (glucose) in the blood.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Symptoms The symptoms of celiac disease can be different from person to person. This can make diagnosis difficult. For example, one person may have constipation, a second may have diarrhea, and a third may have no problem with stools.Gastrointestinal symptoms include:Abdominal pain, bloating, gas, or indigestion Abdominal painAbdominal pain is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Constipation Decreased appetite (may also be increased or unchanged) Decreased appetiteA decreased appetite is when your desire to eat is reduced. The medical term for a loss of appetite is anorexia.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Diarrhea, either constant or off and on DiarrheaDiarrhea is when you pass loose or watery stool.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lactose intolerance (common when the person is diagnosed, often goes away after treatment) Lactose intoleranceLactose is a type of sugar found in milk and other dairy products. An enzyme called lactase is needed by the body to digest lactose. Lactose intoler...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Nausea and vomiting Nausea and vomitingNausea is feeling an urge to vomit. It is often called "being sick to your stomach. "Vomiting or throwing-up forces the contents of the stomach up t...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Stools that are foul smelling, oily, or stick to the toilet when flushed Unexplained weight loss (although people can be overweight or normal weight) Unexplained weight lossUnexplained weight loss is a decrease in body weight, when you did not try to lose the weight on your own. Many people gain and lose weight. Uninten...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Other problems that can develop over time because the intestines do not absorb key nutrients include: Easy bruising Depression or anxiety DepressionDepression may be described as feeling sad, blue, unhappy, miserable, or down in the dumps. Most of us feel this way at one time or another for shor...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Fatigue FatigueFatigue is a feeling of weariness, tiredness, or lack of energy.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Growth delay in children Hair loss Itchy skin with a rash (dermatitis herpetiformis) Dermatitis herpetiformisDermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is a very itchy rash consisting of bumps and blisters. The rash is chronic (long-term).ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Missed menstrual periods Mouth ulcers Muscle cramps and joint pain Nosebleeds Seizures SeizuresA seizure is the physical changes in behavior that occurs during an episode of specific types of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The term ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet Unexplained short height Children with celiac disease may have:Defects in the tooth enamel and changes in tooth color Delayed puberty Muscle wasting Diarrhea, constipation, fatty or foul-smelling stools, nausea, or vomiting Irritable and fussy behavior Poor weight gain Slowed growth and shorter than normal height for their age Exams and Tests The following tests may be performed:Bone density Cholesterol (may be low) Complete blood count (CBC - test for anemia) CBCA complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The numb...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Comprehensive metabolic panel Folate level (serum) Iron level (serum) Ferritin level Prothrombin time Prothrombin timeProthrombin time (PT) is a blood test that measures the time it takes for the liquid portion (plasma) of your blood to clot. It measures the functio...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Vitamin B12 level (serum) Vitamin D level Blood tests can detect antibodies, called antitissue transglutaminase antibodies (tTGA) or anti-endomysial antibodies (EMA) which may help detect the condition. The health care provider will order these antibody tests if celiac disease is suspected.If the tests are positive, upper endoscopy is often performed to sample a piece of tissue (biopsy) from the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). The biopsy may show a flattening or loss of the villi in the parts of the intestine affected in the duodenum.EndoscopyEndoscopy is a way of looking inside the body using a flexible tube that has a small camera and light on the end of it. This instrument is called an...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Genetic testing of the blood can also be done to help detect who may be at risk for celiac disease. Those who test negative for the common genetic variant are unlikely to have celiac disease.A follow-up biopsy or blood test may be ordered several months after the diagnosis and treatment. These tests assess how well treatment is working. Normal results mean that you have responded to treatment. This confirms the diagnosis. However, this does not mean that the disease has been cured. Treatment Celiac disease cannot be cured. Your symptoms will go away and the villi in the intestines will heal if you follow a lifelong gluten-free diet. Do not eat foods, drink beverages, or take medicines that contain wheat, barley, rye, and possibly oats.Gluten-free dietCeliac disease is an immune disorder passed down through families. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, or rye. It may also be found in some ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article You must read food and drug labels carefully to look for ingredients that may include these grains. It may be hard to stick to a gluten-free diet because wheat and barley grains are common in the American diet. Over time, most people are able to adapt and get better. You should NOT begin the gluten-free diet before you are diagnosed. Starting the diet will affect testing for the disease.In most cases, following a well-balanced, gluten-free diet is the only treatment you need to stay well. Your health care provider may need to prescribe vitamin and mineral supplements. Sometimes, short-term use of corticosteroids (such as prednisone) may be needed if sprue does not respond to treatment. When you are diagnosed, get help from a registered dietitian who specializes in celiac disease and the gluten-free diet. A support group may also help you cope with the disease and diet.Support groupIf you have celiac disease, it is very important that you receive counseling from a registered dietitian who specializes in celiac disease and gluten...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Support Groups You can ease the stress of illness by joining a support group. More information and support for people with celiac condition and their families can be found at the National Celiac Association. Outlook (Prognosis) Following a gluten-free diet heals the damage to the intestines and prevents further damage. This healing most often occurs within 3 to 6 months in children. Recovery may take 2 to 3 years in adults.Rarely, long-term damage will be done to the lining of the intestines before the diagnosis is made.Some problems caused by celiac disease may not improve, such as a short height and damage to the teeth. Possible Complications You must carefully continue to follow the gluten-free diet. When untreated, the disease can cause fatal complications.Delaying diagnosis or not following the diet puts you at risk for related conditions such as:Autoimmune disorders Bone disease (osteoporosis, kyphoscoliosis, fractures) OsteoporosisOsteoporosis is a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to break (fracture).ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article KyphoscoliosisScoliosis is an abnormal curving of the spine. Your spine is your backbone. It runs straight down your back. Everyone's spine naturally curves a b...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Certain types of intestinal cancer Low blood count (anemia) AnemiaAnemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells provide oxygen to body tissues. Different type...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Infertility or repeated miscarriage InfertilityInfertility means you cannot get pregnant (conceive). There are 2 types of infertility:Primary infertility refers to couples who have not become preg...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article MiscarriageA miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of a fetus before the 20th week of pregnancy. Pregnancy losses after the 20th week are called stillbirths. Mi...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Liver disease When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you have symptoms of celiac disease. Prevention Because the exact cause is not known, there is no way to prevent the development of celiac disease. However, you should be aware of the risk factors such as family history. This may increase your chances of early diagnosis and treatment.Open ReferencesReferencesLebwohl B, Green PHR. Celiac disease. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 107.Ritchey AK, O'Brien SH, Keller FG. Hematologic manifestations of childhood illness. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Silberstein LE, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 152.Rubio-Tapia A, Hill ID, Kelly CP, Calderwood AH, Murray JA; American College of Gastroenterology. ACG clinical guidelines: diagnosis and management of celiac disease. Am J Gastroenterol. 2013;108(5):656-676. PMID: 23609613 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23609613/.Schiller LR. Malabsorption. In: Kellerman RD, Rakel DP, eds. Conn's Current Therapy 2022. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:256-261.Semrad CE. Approach to the patient with diarrhea and malabsorption. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 131.AllVideoImagesTogCeliac disease - illustration The intestinal lining has small hair-like projections called villi, which help absorb nutrients. When people with celiac disease eat foods with gluten, it triggers an immune response. Over time, the inflammation caused by the immune response damages the villi. Because of the damage, the villi are unable to properly absorb iron, vitamins, and other nutrients. This may cause a number of symptoms, including diarrhea, fatigue, and weight loss, as well as a number of other health problems.Celiac diseaseillustrationDigestive system - illustration The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted.Digestive systemillustrationCeliac sprue - foods to avoid - illustration Celiac disease causes inflammation in the small intestine and damage in the lining. This prevents the body from properly absorbing the nutrients in food. The damage to the lining of the intestine comes from a reaction to eating gluten, which is found in wheat, rye, barley, and possibly oats, and in food made from these ingredients. The inability to absorb nutrients can lead to weight loss, fatigue, malnourishment, and other health problems. Gluten may be found in many foods, especially processed foods and baked goods. Breads, cakes, desserts, alcoholic beverages (except wine), cereals, and pastas may all contain gluten. Eating a gluten-free diet heals the intestines and prevents further damage.Celiac sprue - foods to avoidillustrationDermatitis - herpetiformis on the knee - illustration This picture shows the knee of a person with a chronic inflammatory disease known as dermatitis herpetiformis. It produces red, raised (papular), small or large blisters (vesicles or bullae) that burn and itch intensely. Dermatitis herpetiformis develops suddenly, lasts for weeks to months, and may be associated with digestive diseases (such as Celiac disease).Dermatitis - herpetiformis on the kneeillustrationDermatitis - herpetiformis on the arm and legs - illustration This picture shows a chronic inflammatory disease (dermatitis herpetiformis) that produces red (erythematous), raised (papular), small or large blisters (vesicles or bullae) that burn and itch intensely. Dermatitis herpetiformis develops suddenly, lasts for weeks to months, and may be associated with digestive diseases (such as Celiac disease).Dermatitis - herpetiformis on the arm and legsillustrationDigestive system organs - illustration The digestive system organs in the abdominal cavity include the liver, gallbladder, stomach, small intestine and large intestine.Digestive system organsillustrationCeliac disease - illustration The intestinal lining has small hair-like projections called villi, which help absorb nutrients. When people with celiac disease eat foods with gluten, it triggers an immune response. Over time, the inflammation caused by the immune response damages the villi. Because of the damage, the villi are unable to properly absorb iron, vitamins, and other nutrients. This may cause a number of symptoms, including diarrhea, fatigue, and weight loss, as well as a number of other health problems.Celiac diseaseillustrationDigestive system - illustration The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted.Digestive systemillustrationCeliac sprue - foods to avoid - illustration Celiac disease causes inflammation in the small intestine and damage in the lining. This prevents the body from properly absorbing the nutrients in food. The damage to the lining of the intestine comes from a reaction to eating gluten, which is found in wheat, rye, barley, and possibly oats, and in food made from these ingredients. The inability to absorb nutrients can lead to weight loss, fatigue, malnourishment, and other health problems. Gluten may be found in many foods, especially processed foods and baked goods. Breads, cakes, desserts, alcoholic beverages (except wine), cereals, and pastas may all contain gluten. Eating a gluten-free diet heals the intestines and prevents further damage.Celiac sprue - foods to avoidillustrationDermatitis - herpetiformis on the knee - illustration This picture shows the knee of a person with a chronic inflammatory disease known as dermatitis herpetiformis. It produces red, raised (papular), small or large blisters (vesicles or bullae) that burn and itch intensely. Dermatitis herpetiformis develops suddenly, lasts for weeks to months, and may be associated with digestive diseases (such as Celiac disease).Dermatitis - herpetiformis on the kneeillustrationDermatitis - herpetiformis on the arm and legs - illustration This picture shows a chronic inflammatory disease (dermatitis herpetiformis) that produces red (erythematous), raised (papular), small or large blisters (vesicles or bullae) that burn and itch intensely. Dermatitis herpetiformis develops suddenly, lasts for weeks to months, and may be associated with digestive diseases (such as Celiac disease).Dermatitis - herpetiformis on the arm and legsillustrationDigestive system organs - illustration The digestive system organs in the abdominal cavity include the liver, gallbladder, stomach, small intestine and large intestine.Digestive system organsillustration Tests for Celiac disease – sprue D-xylose absorptionRelated Information Protein in diet(Nutrition)Lactose intolerance(Condition)Atopic dermatitis(Condition)Type 1 diabetes(Condition)Autoimmune disorders(Condition)Systemic lupus erythematosus(Condition)Infertility(Condition)Miscarriage(Condition)Diabetes - type 1 - InDepth(In-Depth)Systemic lupus erythematosus - InDepth(In-Depth)Infertility in women - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 2/6/2022 Reviewed By: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. 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Celiac disease – sprueSprue; Nontropical sprue; Gluten intolerance; Gluten-sensitive enteropathy; Celiac sprueCeliac disease is an autoimmune condition that damages the lining of the small intestine. This damage comes from a reaction to eating gluten. This is a substance that is found in wheat, rye, barley, and possibly oats. It is also found in food made from these ingredients.The damaged intestine is not able to absorb nutrients from food. Causes The exact cause of celiac disease is not known. The lining of the intestines have small areas called villi which project outward into the opening of the intestine. These structures help absorb nutrients. When people with celiac disease eat foods with gluten, their immune system reacts by damaging the villi. Because of the damage, the villi are unable to properly absorb iron, vitamins, and other nutrients. This may cause a number of symptoms and other health problems.The disease can develop at any point in life, from infancy to late adulthood.People who have a family member with celiac disease are at greater risk of developing the disease. The disorder is most common in Europeans.People with celiac disease are more likely to have:Autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and Sjögren syndrome Systemic lupus erythematosusSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease. In this disease, the immune system of the body mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. It c...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sjögren syndromeSjögren syndrome is an autoimmune disorder in which the glands that produce tears and saliva are destroyed. This causes dry mouth and dry eyes. The...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Addison disease Addison diseaseAddison disease is a disorder that causes the adrenal glands to not produce enough hormones.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Down syndrome Intestinal cancer Intestinal lymphoma Lactose intolerance Lactose intoleranceLactose is a type of sugar found in milk and other dairy products. An enzyme called lactase is needed by the body to digest lactose. Lactose intoler...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Thyroid disease Type 1 diabetesType 1 diabetesType 1 diabetes is a lifelong (chronic) disease in which there is a high level of sugar (glucose) in the blood.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Symptoms The symptoms of celiac disease can be different from person to person. This can make diagnosis difficult. For example, one person may have constipation, a second may have diarrhea, and a third may have no problem with stools.Gastrointestinal symptoms include:Abdominal pain, bloating, gas, or indigestion Abdominal painAbdominal pain is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Constipation Decreased appetite (may also be increased or unchanged) Decreased appetiteA decreased appetite is when your desire to eat is reduced. The medical term for a loss of appetite is anorexia.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Diarrhea, either constant or off and on DiarrheaDiarrhea is when you pass loose or watery stool.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lactose intolerance (common when the person is diagnosed, often goes away after treatment) Lactose intoleranceLactose is a type of sugar found in milk and other dairy products. An enzyme called lactase is needed by the body to digest lactose. Lactose intoler...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Nausea and vomiting Nausea and vomitingNausea is feeling an urge to vomit. It is often called "being sick to your stomach. "Vomiting or throwing-up forces the contents of the stomach up t...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Stools that are foul smelling, oily, or stick to the toilet when flushed Unexplained weight loss (although people can be overweight or normal weight) Unexplained weight lossUnexplained weight loss is a decrease in body weight, when you did not try to lose the weight on your own. Many people gain and lose weight. Uninten...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Other problems that can develop over time because the intestines do not absorb key nutrients include: Easy bruising Depression or anxiety DepressionDepression may be described as feeling sad, blue, unhappy, miserable, or down in the dumps. Most of us feel this way at one time or another for shor...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Fatigue FatigueFatigue is a feeling of weariness, tiredness, or lack of energy.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Growth delay in children Hair loss Itchy skin with a rash (dermatitis herpetiformis) Dermatitis herpetiformisDermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is a very itchy rash consisting of bumps and blisters. The rash is chronic (long-term).ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Missed menstrual periods Mouth ulcers Muscle cramps and joint pain Nosebleeds Seizures SeizuresA seizure is the physical changes in behavior that occurs during an episode of specific types of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The term ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet Unexplained short height Children with celiac disease may have:Defects in the tooth enamel and changes in tooth color Delayed puberty Muscle wasting Diarrhea, constipation, fatty or foul-smelling stools, nausea, or vomiting Irritable and fussy behavior Poor weight gain Slowed growth and shorter than normal height for their age Exams and Tests The following tests may be performed:Bone density Cholesterol (may be low) Complete blood count (CBC - test for anemia) CBCA complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The numb...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Comprehensive metabolic panel Folate level (serum) Iron level (serum) Ferritin level Prothrombin time Prothrombin timeProthrombin time (PT) is a blood test that measures the time it takes for the liquid portion (plasma) of your blood to clot. It measures the functio...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Vitamin B12 level (serum) Vitamin D level Blood tests can detect antibodies, called antitissue transglutaminase antibodies (tTGA) or anti-endomysial antibodies (EMA) which may help detect the condition. The health care provider will order these antibody tests if celiac disease is suspected.If the tests are positive, upper endoscopy is often performed to sample a piece of tissue (biopsy) from the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). The biopsy may show a flattening or loss of the villi in the parts of the intestine affected in the duodenum.EndoscopyEndoscopy is a way of looking inside the body using a flexible tube that has a small camera and light on the end of it. This instrument is called an...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Genetic testing of the blood can also be done to help detect who may be at risk for celiac disease. Those who test negative for the common genetic variant are unlikely to have celiac disease.A follow-up biopsy or blood test may be ordered several months after the diagnosis and treatment. These tests assess how well treatment is working. Normal results mean that you have responded to treatment. This confirms the diagnosis. However, this does not mean that the disease has been cured. Treatment Celiac disease cannot be cured. Your symptoms will go away and the villi in the intestines will heal if you follow a lifelong gluten-free diet. Do not eat foods, drink beverages, or take medicines that contain wheat, barley, rye, and possibly oats.Gluten-free dietCeliac disease is an immune disorder passed down through families. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, or rye. It may also be found in some ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article You must read food and drug labels carefully to look for ingredients that may include these grains. It may be hard to stick to a gluten-free diet because wheat and barley grains are common in the American diet. Over time, most people are able to adapt and get better. You should NOT begin the gluten-free diet before you are diagnosed. Starting the diet will affect testing for the disease.In most cases, following a well-balanced, gluten-free diet is the only treatment you need to stay well. Your health care provider may need to prescribe vitamin and mineral supplements. Sometimes, short-term use of corticosteroids (such as prednisone) may be needed if sprue does not respond to treatment. When you are diagnosed, get help from a registered dietitian who specializes in celiac disease and the gluten-free diet. A support group may also help you cope with the disease and diet.Support groupIf you have celiac disease, it is very important that you receive counseling from a registered dietitian who specializes in celiac disease and gluten...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Support Groups You can ease the stress of illness by joining a support group. More information and support for people with celiac condition and their families can be found at the National Celiac Association. Outlook (Prognosis) Following a gluten-free diet heals the damage to the intestines and prevents further damage. This healing most often occurs within 3 to 6 months in children. Recovery may take 2 to 3 years in adults.Rarely, long-term damage will be done to the lining of the intestines before the diagnosis is made.Some problems caused by celiac disease may not improve, such as a short height and damage to the teeth. Possible Complications You must carefully continue to follow the gluten-free diet. When untreated, the disease can cause fatal complications.Delaying diagnosis or not following the diet puts you at risk for related conditions such as:Autoimmune disorders Bone disease (osteoporosis, kyphoscoliosis, fractures) OsteoporosisOsteoporosis is a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to break (fracture).ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article KyphoscoliosisScoliosis is an abnormal curving of the spine. Your spine is your backbone. It runs straight down your back. Everyone's spine naturally curves a b...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Certain types of intestinal cancer Low blood count (anemia) AnemiaAnemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells provide oxygen to body tissues. Different type...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Infertility or repeated miscarriage InfertilityInfertility means you cannot get pregnant (conceive). There are 2 types of infertility:Primary infertility refers to couples who have not become preg...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article MiscarriageA miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of a fetus before the 20th week of pregnancy. Pregnancy losses after the 20th week are called stillbirths. Mi...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Liver disease When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you have symptoms of celiac disease. Prevention Because the exact cause is not known, there is no way to prevent the development of celiac disease. However, you should be aware of the risk factors such as family history. This may increase your chances of early diagnosis and treatment.Open ReferencesReferencesLebwohl B, Green PHR. Celiac disease. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 107.Ritchey AK, O'Brien SH, Keller FG. Hematologic manifestations of childhood illness. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Silberstein LE, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 152.Rubio-Tapia A, Hill ID, Kelly CP, Calderwood AH, Murray JA; American College of Gastroenterology. ACG clinical guidelines: diagnosis and management of celiac disease. Am J Gastroenterol. 2013;108(5):656-676. PMID: 23609613 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23609613/.Schiller LR. Malabsorption. In: Kellerman RD, Rakel DP, eds. Conn's Current Therapy 2022. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:256-261.Semrad CE. Approach to the patient with diarrhea and malabsorption. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 131.