A disease of the digestive system that damages the small intestine and interferes with the absorption of nutrients

from food. It occurs when the body reacts abnormally to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, and possibly oats. Celiac disease may also be called sprue, nontropical sprue, gluten sensitive enteropathy, celiac sprue, and adult celiac disease. Celiac disease may be discovered at any age, from infancy through adulthood. Celiac disease has a hereditary influence

Inflammation Symptoms: serious diarrhea fatty greasy foul-smelling stools

excessive gas (flatulence), distended abdomen weight loss generalized weakness

irritability or depression

Anemia Easy bruising Osteoporosis or "brittle bones," Osteomalacia Defects in the tooth enamel Lactose Intolerance muscle cramps

fatigue
delayed growth tingling or numbness in the legs pale sores in the mouth tooth discoloration missed menstrual periods