See a GP, says the NHS (Image: Getty)
The NHS has issued a warning that persistent bloating, despite lifestyle changes such as dieting or exercising, could be a sign of a common condition that requires testing. However, if you notice an improvement, it’s crucial to maintain a careful diet.
As detailed on the website, coeliac disease is a prevalent autoimmune disorder where the immune system in a person’s gut reacts when they consume gluten. This reaction causes chronic inflammation and can result in symptoms like bloating, fatigue, and a numbness and tingling sensation.
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, and therefore appears in many everyday food and drink items. These include:
- most types of bread
- pasta
- cakes
- biscuits
- crackers
- many breakfast cereals
- pastry
- certain types of sauces
- some types of ready meals
- most beers and lagers
- certain fruit squashes
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Given these foods often form part of our daily diet and with coeliac disease affecting one in every 100 people, it’s worth noting the symptoms and whether they worsen after consuming any of the above items. This period of worsening symptoms is often referred to as a flare-up.
What are the symptoms of Coeliac disease?
Coeliac disease can trigger a range of symptoms in the digestive system and throughout the body. Symptoms can emerge at any stage of life, but coeliac disease is most frequently diagnosed between the ages of 40 and 60 years.
The symptoms of coeliac disease differ from individual to individual and can range from mild to severe. Some people may not experience any symptoms at all.
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Some common symptoms of coeliac disease include:
- severe diarrhoea, excessive wind and/or constipation
- persistent or unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting
- recurrent stomach pain, cramping or bloating
- iron, vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency
- anaemia
- tiredness
- sudden or unexpected weight loss (but not in all cases)
- mouth ulcers
- skin rash (dermatitis herpetiformis)
- depression
- repeated miscarriages
- neurological (nerve) problems such as ataxia (loss of coordination, poor balance) and peripheral neuropathy (numbness and tingling in the hands and feet)
Sometimes the symptoms of coeliac disease are mistaken for:
- irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- wheat intolerance
- stress
- just getting older
The NHS warns that if you tick any of theses signs and symptoms thn you should talk to your GP. But do not stop eating gluten as you will need to eat gluten when getting tested to ensure an accurate result.
You can take Coeliac UK’s to see whether you could have the common condition.