Four Myths and Facts About Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is a digestive and immune disorder that prevents proper nutrient absorption. Despite advances in understanding, misconceptions about celiac disease remain common. Here is a deeper dive into four myths and the facts behind them.
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Myth 1: Everyone with celiac disease has abdominal pain, bloating, or diarrhea.
While gastrointestinal symptoms can occur, many adults newly diagnosed with inherited gluten intolerance have none of these classic signs.
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Myth 2: Celiac disease is diagnosed only in childhood.
In reality, celiac can develop anytime after first gluten exposure. The average age of diagnosis is between 46 and 56, and about 25% are diagnosed after age 60. Women and people with other autoimmune conditions (type 1 diabetes, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, dermatitis herpetiformis) are slightly more prone. A physical or emotional stress—such as infection, surgery, or a major life event—may “flip the switch” and trigger disease onset.
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Myth 3: If you feel sick after eating gluten, you must have celiac disease.
Some individuals experience non-celiac gluten sensitivity (gluten intolerance), which can cause similar digestive distress. This condition is not well defined, and it’s unclear whether the culprit is gluten itself or another component in gluten-containing foods.
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Myth 4: A gluten-free diet always resolves celiac symptoms.
About 20% of people with celiac disease continue to have symptoms despite strict adherence to a gluten-free diet, a condition known as nonresponsive celiac disease. Symptoms may persist due to accidental gluten exposure in mislabeled or cross-contaminated foods.
Potential solutions to nonresponsive celiac disease are being studied. Three promising approaches are: