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<p>Coeliac disease is a condition of the small bowel (intestine) that can cause serious illness if left untreated for a long time.</p>
<p>If it's left untreated, coeliac disease may lead to:</p>
<ul>
<li><span class="bulleted">a deficiency in iron (anaemia) and other vitamins or minerals</span></li>
<li><span class="bulleted">reduced growth in children</span></li>
<li><span class="bulleted">reduced fertility in both men and women</span></li>
<li><span class="bulleted">an increased risk of developing osteoporosis or osteopenia - these are conditions in which your bones become weakened and are more likely to break</span></li>
<li><span class="bulleted">an increased risk of developing cancer of your small bowel</span></li>
</ul>
<p>In the UK, around one in 300 people are thought to have coeliac disease, but many who have it haven't been diagnosed. Coeliac disease affects three times as many women as men and can occur at any age.</p>
<p>Coeliac disease affects your small bowel. The lining of your small bowel is made up of tiny finger-shaped projections called villi. If you have coeliac disease and eat foods containing a protein called gluten, your villi become inflamed and flattened.</p>
<p>The damage caused decreases the surface area of the villi and stops your small bowel absorbing nutrients and minerals from your food properly. Gluten is harmless to people who don't have coeliac disease</p>
<p>People who have coeliac disease, which is an autoimmune condition, often develop an associated condition - for example, Sjogren's syndrome, type I diabetes, or Addison's disease.</p>
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<h2 class="headingUnderline">Symptoms of coeliac disease</h2>
<p>The symptoms of coeliac disease can range from mild to severe and may be similar to conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn's disease. If you have coeliac disease, you may have:</p>
<ul>
<li><span class="bulleted">diarrhoea or constipation</span></li>
<li><span class="bulleted">nausea and vomiting</span></li>
<li><span class="bulleted">a bloated abdomen (tummy)</span></li>
<li><span class="bulleted">excessive wind</span></li>
<li><span class="bulleted">pain or cramps in your abdomen</span></li>
<li><span class="bulleted">sudden or unexplained weight loss</span></li>
</ul>
<p>You may also have symptoms unrelated to your digestive system, such as: losing your hair (alopecia); mouth ulcers; a skin rash (dermatitis herpetiformis); feeling tired and/or getting headaches.</p>
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