Celiac disease is a disorder that damages the small intestine and interferes with nutrient absorption. The condition can cause a wide range of symptoms in the digestive system and other parts of the body. Celiac disease is an inherited disorder, meaning it runs in families. Sometimes the disease becomes active for the first time as the result of surgery, pregnancy, childbirth, viral infection, or severe emotional stress.

 

A few of the many symptoms associated with celiac disease include diarrhea, abdominal pain (or stomach pain), and depression. People with celiac disease cannot tolerate gluten, a protein which is found in wheat, rye, and barley. The disease is treated by eliminating all gluten from the diet. People with the disorder must follow a gluten-free diet for the rest of their lives.