Celiac, Bowel and Brain
Yes the brain and the bowel are connected…
Celiac Disease is more than simple bowel disorder: It is a bowel disorder downstream from an associated array of multiple problems associated with gluten sensitivity. Many of those clinical presentations look like psych issues.
Gut on Fire
Celiac Disease of the bowel is really just the tip of an iceberg, as only 1 of 8 gluten sensitive people suffers from Celiac Disease. Most suffer from “silent celiac” without overt bowel problems, and simply are overlooked in our psych practices.
Gluten is the protein in wheat, barley, rye [and some oats], – and [partly] because gluten isn’t completely digested can bring serious bowel problems and many of the following symptoms. Just take a look at this American Family Physician report [do read this article, the lights will go on regarding the pathology of gluten sensitivity].
Symptoms of Celiac Disease & Possible Causes Associated with Celiac
Fatigue, malaise - Anemia, general immune system activation
Weight loss - Nutrient malabsorption
Diarrhea, abdominal pain - Accelerated gastrointestinal tract transit time, steatorrhea,
Anemia - Iron deficiency; less commonly, vitamin B12 and/or folate deficiency
Bone pain - Osteoporosis
Aphthous ulcers, stomatitis - Vitamin deficiency, “oral” celiac disease
Infertility - Postulated cause: iron, folate, and/or zinc deficiency
Male impotence, decreased libido - Peripheral insensitivity to circulating testosterone
Alopecia areata - Immunologic attack on hair follicles
Dental enamel defects - Demineralization during tooth bud development in children
Hypoglycemia - Delayed absorption of glucose
Gas, flatus, belching - Secondary digestion of sugars by intestinal flora
Seizures, “gluten ataxia” – Increased affinity of celiac antibodies for brain vasculature & central nervous system symptoms
And these downstream medical disorders from the National Institute of Health
- Anemia
- Lactose intolerance
- Dermatitis herpetiformis (a burning, itching, blistering rash), and other skin disorders
- Type 1 diabetes
- Thyroid disease
- Adrenal fatigue
- Down syndrome
- Unexplained infertility
- Miscarriage
- Osteoporosis or osteopenia
- Certain types of intestinal cancer
- Neurological conditions
- Autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus
Further, for some interesting observations about Candida and Celiac here.
And one of the best sites for an abundance of information is Gluten Free Links
Take a look at this last site [it will be loaded on CorePsychBlog Resources] as it has many specific solutions and much more info.
Related articles by Zemanta
- Celiac Disease Can Be Misdiagnosed As ME/CFS (fightingfatigue.org)
- Health Tip: You Need Vitamin B-12 (nlm.nih.gov)
- Master regulator found for regenerating nerve fibers in live animals (biosingularity.wordpress.com)
- Celiac Disease: The Basics (slideshare.net)
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What are some common psychological misdiagnosis for celiac? ADHD ADD Depression?? Just curious..
Dr. Parker, I first heard about you from ADDer World and then the Virtual ADHD conference. Your presentation was phenomenal. so clear and logical. Your passion for understanding ADD and promoting sound treatment is such a breath of fresh air. I have called many psychiatrists in NJ that I have found who say they treat ADD and aksed them how they disgnose…all they say is they use the DSM. I asked them how they keep up with the research in more advanced approaches. Answer: They don’t. they came right out and admitted it to me. I feel so bad when people ask me how they can get a diagnosis and I have no good answers for them other than to see you. Naturally people aren’t often willing to travel that far. Do you know anyone in NJ that I might be missing?
Thanks again for this great info. I will certainly spread the work on Facebook for you!
Erica,
This post from years ago on Brain and Bowel issues with Celiac as relating to psych problems contains an interesting list. Also posted a tweet from sidewiki on Celiac.com, a great source of useful gluten info.
cp
Thanks for the RT Erica!
cp