How I Knew I Had Celiac Disease

Introduction

Growing up I had always struggled with stomach issues. It wasn’t until my early twenties that I finally discovered the root of my problems – celiac disease.

Symptoms

The symptoms of celiac disease can vary greatly from person to person. For me the most noticeable symptoms were stomach pain bloating diarrhea. These symptoms would often occur after eating gluten-containing foods like bread pasta baked goods. I also experienced fatigue brain fog migraines.

Misdiagnosis

Before getting diagnosed with celiac disease I was often misdiagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or told that my symptoms were just due to stress. It wasn’t until I finally saw a gastroenterologist got a blood test that the possibility of celiac disease was brought up.

Diagnosis

The blood test came back positive for celiac disease I was referred to a specialist for an endoscopy. During the endoscopy the doctor was able to confirm the diagnosis by observing damage to the lining of my small intestine.

Life with Celiac Disease

Living with celiac disease means avoiding gluten at all costs. This can be challenging especially when eating out or traveling. However with time practice it becomes easier to navigate menus find gluten-free options.

Conclusion

If you’re experiencing symptoms like mine suspect celiac disease may be the cause don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor. While it can be a challenge to adapt to a gluten-free lifestyle it’s well worth it to improve your overall health well-being.