Thriving with Celiac Disease

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Our Raising our Celiac Kids (ROCK) initiative is the premier educational program for kids, teens, and young adults. From our school resources to our age-specific events, we are providing the opportunities for parents, caregivers, and their families to better navigate their child’s journey.

For parents & caregivers : Our NCA Tennessee Chapter invites you to register for their peer-to-peer support group on March 26th geared towards helping you connect with other parents and caregivers. This monthly virtual support group welcomes caregivers to login from anywhere around the nation. Register HERE.

For middle school / high school students: Join us for Tacos and Trivia Night on March 31st at 6:30pm ET! Come hang out with other gluten-free teens for a relaxed evening of food, fun, and laughs. Register today!

The NCA actively supports & nurtures all those who are part of the gluten-free community.

Signs and Symptoms + Related Conditions

There are over 200 symptoms of celiac disease and they vary so widely that there is no such thing as a typical case. Many people do not experience any of the gastrointestinal symptoms that were previously thought to typify the condition. These individuals often face a delay in diagnosis.

Hover over the different parts of the body to see some of the most common symptoms of untreated/undiagnosed celiac disease. Some symptoms may persist on a gluten-free diet, however, most will resolve.

This is not a complete list of symptoms.

Please note: This page is not intended to self-diagnose. Please see a healthcare provider for your personalized healthcare needs.

  • Brain fog/inability to concentrate
  • Headaches
  • Balance problems
  • Seizures
  • Ataxia (uncoordinated movements)
  • Learning disabilities
  • Peripheral neuropathy (numbness/tingling in hands/feet)
  • ADHD-like symptoms
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Irritability
  • Mood changes
  • Impaired night vision & dry eye
  • Canker sores
  • Mouth ulcers
  • Dental enamel defects
  • Dry mouth
  • A red, smooth/shiny tongue
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Autoimmune thyroid dysfunction (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis)
  • Esophagitis
  • Reflux
  • Eosinophilic esophagitis (EOE)
  • Pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Cramping
  • Bloating/distention
  • Stool abnormalities
  • Vomiting
  • Weight loss or gain
  • Gas
  • Lactose intolerance due to damage to the small intestine
  • Loose, greasy, bulky, or bad-smelling stools
  • Amenorrhea (absence of menstruation)
  • Infertility (males and females)
  • Miscarriage
  • Ovarian dysfunction (including polycystic ovarian syndrome)
  • Menopausal and perimenopausal disorder
  • Elevated liver enzymes
  • Autoimmune hepatitis
  • Autoimmune (sclerosing) cholangitis
  • Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
  • Primary biliary cirrhosis
  • Primary sclerosing cholangitis
  • Cardiomyopathy
  • Thrombosis and thromboembolism
  • Ischemic heart disease
  • Stroke
  • Arrhythmia
  • Hyposplenism
  • Dermatitis herpetiformis
  • Eczema
  • Psoriasis (autoimmune)
  • Atopic dermatitis (itchy rash)
  • Alopecia areata (autoimmune)
  • Vitiligo (autoimmune)
  • Anemia
  • Edema/swelling
  • Electrolyte imbalance
  • Fatigue
  • Osteopenia/osteoporosis, pain in bones and joints
  • Vitamin and mineral deficiencies

Children with CeD may exhibit any of the previously listed symptoms as well as:

  • Failure to thrive (slowed growth and short height)
  • Delayed puberty
  • ADHD-like symptoms

NCA’s programs are designed to help you thrive at all ages and stages in life.

Kids & Teens

Raising Our Celiac Kids (ROCK) is a program for kids and teens as well as their parents/caregivers to help navigate the experiences unique to this age group.

College Resources

Moving away from home the first time is an exciting time in your life.  Continuing to live a healthy gluten-free life at college is absolutely doable!  It just requires a bit of advance planning, communication and a peek behind the scenes of university food services.  

Senior Resources

Seniors with celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity can face situations that no other age group may encounter. Use these resources to empower you to live your best life!

Feeding Gluten Free

Feeding Gluten Free coordinates donations of GF food to where the known need is, pays for shipping of these donations, as well as purchases GF food when necessary. We also work with individuals to help identify local resources, how to prepare affordable GF meals and snacks and ways to maximize their grocery budget.

Webinars

NCA provides educational webinars, roundtable events, and informational videos that address topics of interest for every demographic group in our community. We also co-host a webinar series with the Harvard Medical School Celiac Education & Research program called “All Things Celiac”. Links to all recorded events can be found on the NCA Webinars page by clicking the button below.

NCA proudly endorses the Gluten-Free Food Program

Our Sponsors

Please visit our sponsors below by clicking on their icon(s). Their support is invaluable to our work, and we would be grateful for your support of them.

Visit our Sponsor Opportunities page to learn more about how your brand can collaborate with NCA for the benefit of the celiac community.

Show your support for your gluten-free community!