Gluten is one of the protein building blocks that is in wheat. When you have celiac disease, your body lacks the ability to process the gluten, which leads to a host of side effects that can include skin rashes, bone weakness, stomach pain, bloating and muscle cramping; those conditions in turn can lead to back aches and knotted muscle tension.
Presentation
You may exhibit a wide range of symptoms if you have celiac disease and an intolerance for the gluten found in wheat, rye, oats and barley. Celiac disease is genetic, according to the American Family Physician website, and causes your immune system to react to the presence of gluten with inflammation in your digestive system. There’s not always a single side effect associated with the condition, however, because the inflammatory response affects most of your body’s systems and can lead to anything from tight muscles or dental problems, to blood disorders, psychological issues or neurological difficulties.
Variations
The onset of celiac disease or gluten intolerance symptoms can occur at any age, but symptoms can vary between age groups. Infants born with the disease often fail to thrive and experience persistent vomiting and diarrhea. Celiac often goes undetected until childhood when children develop anemia or dermatitis. Children may be shorter than their peers and also have epilepsy or hepatitis with celiac disease. Young adults may experience severe pain before they break out in dermatitis on their elbows, knees or shoulders. They tend to have flare-ups after eating a high-gluten meal. Malabsorption caused by celiac disease in adults leads to foul-smelling flatulence and oily stools. Untreated, the disease leads to bone density reduction that can cause bone and spinal pain. Calcium deposits may form on the spine and lead to knots.
Treatment
Treatment of celiac disease consists of a complete dietary change that includes zero-tolerance for any food or supplements that contain gluten. The knots in your back eventually will subside as calcium deposits disappear, nerves return to normal reaction functions and your muscles develop properly. Osteopenia that leads to weak bones and back pain can be reversed with medication and exercise. Talk to your doctor about your particular symptoms to that you can treat the symptoms as your body’s immune system returns to normal. You may need to reduce the amount of calcium in your body until calcium deposits subside while boosting your intake of antioxidants to heal your damaged immune system.
Complications
Left untreated, celiac disease can lead to a host of serious complications. Once you’ve been diagnosed, you need to stick to your gluten-free diet or risk developing cancer or severe bone pain in your spine. Initially, you may experience bloating, diarrhea and abdominal pain when you eat gluten, but eventually you will develop long term complications. You are also at higher risk of cancer of the small intestines or esophagus. In addition to pain in your bones, you may have joint pain and neuropathy that leads to confusion and difficulty walking.
