Overview:

• Gluten disease is an illness caused by an immune reaction to eating gluten. Gluten is a protein found in foods containing wheat, barley or rye.
• If you have gluten disease, eating gluten triggers an immune response to the gluten protein in your small intestine. Over time, this reaction damages your small intestine's lining and prevents it from absorbing nutrients, a condition called malabsorption
• The intestinal damage often causes symptoms such as diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, bloating or anemia. It also can lead to serious complications if it is not managed or treated. In children, malabsorption can affect growth and development in addition to gastrointestinal symptoms.
• There's no definite cure for gluten disease. But for most people, following a strict gluten-free diet can help manage symptoms and help the intestines heal

Symptoms:

The digestive symptoms of gluten disease can vary , They also may be different in children and adults.

Digestive symptoms for adults include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Bloating and gas
- Abdominal pain
- Constipation

Children:

Children with gluten disease are more likely than adults to have digestive problems, including:

- Pale, foul-smelling stools
- Nausea and vomiting
- Chronic diarrhea
- Swollen belly
- Poor appetite
- Weight loss
- Constipation
- Gas.

When to See a Doctor:

-Consult your health care team if you have diarrhea or
digestive discomfort that lasts for more than two weeks.

-Be sure to consult your health care team before trying a gluten-free diet.
If you stop or even reduce the amount of gluten you eat before you're tested
for gluten disease, you can change the test results.

• Is pale.
• Is irritable.
• Is failing to grow.
• Has a potbelly.
• Has foul-smelling, bulky stools.
• Has a swollen belly.