Although the precise cause of celiac disease isn’t known, it’s believed that your genes as well as eating foods with gluten can contribute to celiac disease. At times it can appear because of the following [1]:
- Family history
- Pregnancy
- Environmental factors
See also: What is Celiac Disease?
Common causes of Celiac Disease
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), as many as one in 141 Americans have celiac disease and most don’t even know it [2]. It can sometimes appear as a result of the following:
Family history
According to the NHS, there is a 10% chance of developing celiac disease if you have a close relative who lives with the condition. There is also a 75% chance of developing celiac disease if you have an identical twin living with the condition [3].
Pregnancy
Although further research is required on this particular topic, according to Mayo Clinic, celiac disease can sometimes become active during pregnancy and childbirth [4].
Environmental factors
There are a handful of environmental factors that potentially increase your chances of developing celiac disease, the majority of these focus around early childhood and include [5]:
- Having a digestive system infection as a child
- Consuming gluten before 3 months old
- Not being breastfed when gluten is introduced into the child’s diet
See also: What Is The Treatment For Celiac Disease?
If you’re experiencing unpleasant symptoms after eating products that contain wheat, rye, barley and oats - you should take a Celiac test.
Other signs that you should take a test include:
- You’re experiencing digestive discomfort for over two weeks
- You have had diarrhoea for over two weeks
- You have thyroid issues
- You have type 1 diabetes
- You have Turner syndrome
- You suffer from rheumatoid arthritis
- You suffer from colitis (inflammation of the inner lining of the bowel)
If you would rather take the test from the comfort of your own home, LetsGetChecked’s at-home Celiac Test will give you the option to do just that! Your online results will be available within 5 days and our dedicated medical team will be on hand to answer any questions you may have. The test must be taken following six weeks of a gluten-containing diet to ensure accurate results.
See also: How Do You Check For Celiac Disease From Home?
References
- Mayo Clinic. Celiac Disease. Online: Mayoclinic.org, 2019
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases. Celiac Disease. Online: Niddk.nih.gov, 2016
- NHS. Coeliac Disease. Online: NHS.uk, 2019
- Mayo Clinic. Celiac Disease. Online: Mayoclinic.org, 2019
- NHS. Coeliac Disease. Online: NHS.uk, 2019
