Celiac disease can cause back pain

Celiac disease affects about 1 in 133 Americans, according to Mayo Clinic researchers. The digestive and autoimmune disease is believed to be caused by genetic factors and has a wide range of symptoms.

The immune system of people with celiac disease responds to the ingestion of gluten protein by attacking the lining of the small intestine. This causes inflammation that damages the villa, the tiny hairs in the intestine that absorb nutrients into the body. Because it affects nutrient absorption, celiac has many symptoms beyond the digestive tract.

Nutrients include vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, protein, and fat. All of these are used by the body in various vital functions, including cell production, muscle activation, bone and muscle growth, and organ function. Since nutrients are the building blocks of our bodies, malnutrition can wreak havoc on various structures.

Celiac disease symptoms include:

Digestive problems, such as gas, bloating, diarrhea, greasy stools, and constipation

Muscle, joint and bone pain

In children, lack of proper growth.

iron deficiency anemia

missed periods

Tingling in the legs

seizures

Celiac disease and back pain

If you are experiencing chronic digestive symptoms and back pain, you should be tested for celiac disease. Continuing to eat gluten can cause permanent intestinal damage.

Nutrient deficiency affects muscles throughout the body. The lower back will likely be a site of pain, as the lower back muscles are load-bearing and highly mobile. Electrolytes such as potassium, magnesium, sodium, and calcium are necessary for proper muscle function. The lack of these electrolytes causes interference in the nervous communication between the brain and the muscles. The contraction and relaxation cycles are interrupted. Muscles can contract, suffer spasms and cramps. As muscles are used less due to pain and miscommunication, muscle tone is lost. This process is accelerated by the fact that proteins, the building blocks of muscles, are not properly absorbed. This means that the loss of muscle mass cannot be counteracted with muscle repair.

Celiac disease can also cause osteoporosis and osteomalacia. Both disorders involve weak bones, but they are different in some ways. Osteoporosis is a generally irreversible thinning of the bones caused by the body’s inability to make more bone tissue. Calcium and phosphate deficiencies greatly increase the risk of osteoporosis. Osteomalacia is a softening of the bones caused by vitamin D deficiency and, unlike osteoporosis, can be recovered through vitamin D supplementation. Both disorders can cause bone fractures and pain, but osteomalacia also has pain symptoms neuromuscular. Osteoporosis can cause height loss and postural dysfunction, which can exacerbate back pain.

Celiac disease treatment

The first step in the treatment of celiac disease is the permanent elimination of gluten from the diet. As long as gluten is present in your digestive tract, your body will continue to damage itself. Watch http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gluten-free-diet/my01140/ for foods you can and cannot eat.

Celiac disease is usually detected before intestinal damage is irreparable. You may start to feel better a few days into your gluten-free diet, but it may take 6 months or longer for your intestines to heal. It is generally considered a good idea for people recovering from celiac damage to supplement nutrients to reverse the effects of malnutrition. Supplementation should be done under the supervision of a nutritionist or doctor to ensure you are getting the proper amounts of nutrients your body needs.

Back pain is one of many possible symptoms of celiac disease. If you suspect you have this condition, seek early diagnosis and treatment.