Coeliac disease can begin to develop at any age. It typically occurs when people take medication that contains gluten or they eat foods that contain gluten. If the condition is left untreated, it can lead to a lot of health issues. This is why patients with the disease need to get help as soon as they know they have the condition. They should also be aware of any symptoms that come with Coeliac disease. In this article we talk about coeliac disease and when to call our GP service in Sotogrande for coeliac disease.
What is Coeliac Disease?
Coeliac disease is also known as gluten-sensitive enteropathy or Coeliac sprue. The disease an immune reaction to consuming gluten. Gluten can be found in rye, barley, and wheat.
Eating gluten could trigger an immune response in the small intestine. After a while, this response will damage the lining of the small intestine. When this happens, the small intestine will not be able to absorb as many nutrients as it would otherwise. In addition to this, the damage can also lead to:
- Anaemia
- Bloating
- Diarrhoea
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- and other serious complications
When children suffer from Coeliac disease, it can affect their development and growth in addition to causing the above symptoms. Unfortunately, there is no known cure for coeliac disease, however, if you were to follow a gluten-free diet, your symptoms can be managed by our GP service in Sotogrande for coeliac disease. A strict gluten-free diet can also help the small intestine to start healing.
The Symptoms of Coeliac Disease
Some of the symptoms of Coeliac disease can vary between adults and children. Some of the symptoms that adults suffer from include:
- Abdominal pain
- Anaemia
- Bloating and gas
- Blistering and itchy skin
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Fatigue
- Joint pain
- Headaches
- Mouth ulcers
- Nausea
- Numbness in the hands and feet
- Reduced spleen function
- Tingling in the hands and feet
Some of the symptoms that children suffer from include:
- Anaemia
- Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
- Constipation
- Chronic diarrhoea
- Delayed puberty
- Gas
- Irritability
- Lack of coordination in the muscles
- Nausea
- Seizures
- Short stature
- Stools that are pale and smell foul
- Swollen tummy
- Tooth enamel damage
- Weight loss
- Vomiting
Call our GP service in Sotogrande for coeliac disease if you have any of the symptoms above.
Dermatitis herpetiformis
Dermatitis herpetiformis can be caused by Coeliac disease that can be found on the buttocks, knees, elbows, torso, and scalp. This is thought to be due to the small intestine and changes in the lining.
Doctors can treat this condition with medication, a gluten-free diet, or both.
When to call our GP Service in Sotogrande for Coeliac Disease
Call our home GP service in Sotogrande for coeliac disease if you have diarrhoea or digestive discomfort that lasts more than two weeks. Please talk to our pediatric department if your child is pale, irritable or failing to grow or has a rout tummy or stools that are bulky and foul-smelling.
Please make sure you speak to our doctor before you consider embarking on a gluten-free diet. This is because if you reduce your gluten intake before you're tested you might inadvertently change the test results.
Coeliac disease typically runs in families. If someone in your family has Coeliac disease, please ask our doctor if they think you should be tested.