Ireland has one of the highest rates of coeliac disease in the world, with 1 in 100 people having the disease. Did you know the signs and symptoms of Coeliac Disease can differ in adults and children?

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Coeliac disease is an auto-immune disease that can happen at any stage of life. Coeliac disease mainly affects the small intestine due to a reaction in the gut to gluten, rye, barley and the protein found in wheat. Some adults and children with Coeliac disease can also be sensitive to the protein found in oats.

Gluten is found in foods such as bread, biscuits, cakes, pizza, pasta and beer. It’s also found in the majority of manufactured foods where gluten is contained in the ingredients, such as soups, sauces, gravy, crisps, chocolate and sweets.

If a person with coeliac disease eats gluten, the lining of their small intestine can become damaged, in return reducing their ability to absorb much-needed nutrients from food. This can lead to a variety of symptoms and complications, if left undiagnosed.

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What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Coeliac Disease?

Coeliac disease can sometimes be difficult to diagnose because it affects everybody differently. There are over 200 known signs and symptoms which may occur.

Digestive symptoms are more common in infants and children, while adults are less likely to have digestive problems, with one-third of those with Coeliac disease experiencing diarrhoea.

Symptoms in children may include:

• Abdominal bloating and pain
• Constipation
• Pale or foul-smelling stool
• Chronic diarrhoea
• Weight loss
• Irritability and behavioural issues
• Vomiting
• Fatigue
• Dental enamel defects of the permanent teeth
• Delayed growth and puberty

Symptoms in adults may include:

• Anaemia
• Fatigue
• Bone or joint pain
• Arthritis
• Seizures
• Migraines
• Osteoporosis
• Dermatitis herpetiformis
• Liver and biliary tract disorders
• Depression or anxiety
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Missed menstrual periods
• Infertility
• Recurrent miscarriage

Some adults and children with coeliac disease have no symptoms at all, so it may be harder to diagnose. If coeliac disease is suspected, a routine blood test will confirm your doctor’s suspicions; if not, an intestinal biopsy may be performed.

Living a Gluten-Free Life

Coeliac disease is a life-long condition; you will never grow out of it, nor is there a cure. However, the good news is that – once diagnosed and a gluten-free diet has begun – both adults and children should begin to feel better, although their gut may take longer recover.

Once the change in diet has begun, coeliacs must stick to it for life. It’s widely recommended not to smoke and to practice regular exercise. Here are some tips for living a gluten-free life:

Eating Out

It is always advisable to ring ahead if you are eating out to confirm the restaurant caters for coeliacs.

The Coeliac Society also has a Coeliac Friendly Restaurant List (available to members of the Society) which offers a selection of places where members have enjoyed their experience.

Visiting Family and Friends

Remind family and friends when you are visiting them that any food they may be serving you (or your child) needs to be gluten-free. Bring your own if you feel there may not be something suitable to enjoy

Gluten-Free Ranges

Luckily, the range of gluten-free products available in supermarkets and online is growing all the time, making it easier to cater to a change in diet.

Tips For Your Coeliac Child

1. Start by explaining what coeliac disease is to your child, what gluten does to their body, and what foods they should avoid.
2. Involve them in identifying foods that don’t contain gluten when you are shopping. Get them to help check food labels.
3. Use smiley stickers on products in your cupboard and fridge so that they can quickly identify what is coeliac-friendly and what isn’t.
4. For family dinners, many recipes can be made gluten-free by substituting or using gluten-free ingredients.
5. Store gluten-free products away from products that have gluten so they don’t become contaminated.
6. Talk to your child’s school and let them know that your child has Coeliac Disease so that they don’t inadvertently give them anything with gluten in it.

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Did You Know?

In Ireland, PAYE taxpayers can claim back health expenses by using Revenue’s myaccount online service. This service allows taxpayers to submit health expenses claims and request a Review/P21 balancing statement for up to four years – and gluten-free products are included in this.

For those with coeliac disease, both Tesco Ireland and SuperValu can provide a Certificate of Expenditure for customers when buying gluten-free products using their loyalty cards, while Dunnes Stores provide Coeliac Certificate of Expenditure annually in the first quarter of the year.

For more information on Coeliac Disease, visit www.coeliac.ie

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Have your say! Is anyone in your family coeliac? What other tips would you share with parents? Leave a comment below and let us know – we’d love to hear from you!