Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Constipation?CausesOther SymptomsIn ChildrenManagement

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What Is Constipation?

Causes

Other Symptoms

In Children

Management

While many people think ofceliac disease (CD)as a condition in which the consumption ofglutentriggers diarrhea, it may surprise you to know that it can also cause constipation as well. Constipation is a less common symptom of CD but one that can affect both children and adults with this autoimmune disorder.

The cause may not only include changes in the digestive tract that can occur with CD, but it may also involve gluten-free foods that can be constipating.

This article explains how celiac disease causes constipation and, conversely, how to recognize when constipation is a sign of celiac disease. It also covers ways to prevent or treat constipation if you are managing and living with CD.

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You have constipation if you have fewer than three bowel movements per week. Occasional constipation happens to many people, but constipation is consideredchronicif you’re constipated for three months or longer.

There are many possible causes of constipation in adults and children, including:

On top of this, there are numerous medical conditions that can cause constipation, such as:

Side effects of certain medications can also cause constipation, including of the useantacids,antidepressants,diuretics(“water pills”), calcium supplements, and iron supplements.

How Does Celiac Disease Make You Constipated?

Damage to the villi, in turn, triggers “classic” symptoms of CD such as chronic diarrhea, bloating, loss of appetite, and the inability to absorb nutrients from food (known asmalabsorption).

However, for some people with CD, malabsorption can trigger constipation rather than diarrhea. This is because, with malabsorption, food is less thoroughly digested. As the under-digested food enters the small intestine, it is not broken down enough for nutrients to be absorbed. The only thing that can be absorbed is water and, in some people, too much is absorbed, leading to constipation.

On top of this, many of the food products used to replace gluten (like rice flour, potato starch, and tapioca starch) contain little to no fiber.Because fiber is essential to regular, normal bowel movements, the lack of fiber can further contribute to or worsen constipation.

Normal Constipation or Celiac Disease?

How Celiac Disease Is Treated

What Are the Other Symptoms of Celiac Disease?

The symptoms of celiac disease can vary significantly from person to person. While most people regard CD as a purely gastrointestinal disease, it can also cause extraintestinal symptoms (meaning symptoms that don’t involve the digestive tract).

GastrointestinalChronic diarrhea, with pale and abnormally foul-smelling stoolsAbdominal painBloating and gasNausea or vomitingWeight loss or failure to gain weighStunted growth in childrenChronic constipationMouth ulcersLactose intoleranceExtraintestinalChronic fatigueHeadache and “brain fog"Eye inflammation and cataractsIrregular periodsMuscle or joint painHair lossKidney stonesOsteoporosisHeart and liver problemsInfertility

GastrointestinalChronic diarrhea, with pale and abnormally foul-smelling stoolsAbdominal painBloating and gasNausea or vomitingWeight loss or failure to gain weighStunted growth in childrenChronic constipationMouth ulcersLactose intolerance

Chronic diarrhea, with pale and abnormally foul-smelling stools

Abdominal pain

Bloating and gas

Nausea or vomiting

Weight loss or failure to gain weigh

Stunted growth in children

Chronic constipation

Mouth ulcers

Lactose intolerance

ExtraintestinalChronic fatigueHeadache and “brain fog"Eye inflammation and cataractsIrregular periodsMuscle or joint painHair lossKidney stonesOsteoporosisHeart and liver problemsInfertility

Chronic fatigue

Headache and “brain fog”

Eye inflammation and cataracts

Irregular periods

Muscle or joint pain

Hair loss

Kidney stones

Osteoporosis

Heart and liver problems

Infertility

In some people, CD can also be silent, meaning that they have no symptoms even as the intestines incur increasing autoimmune damage.

Constipation in Children With Celiac

In another study from the State University of New York at Buffalo, researchers evaluated children who had been diagnosed with celiac disease over a 10-year period. They found that 39% had constipation at the time they were diagnosed. By contrast, only 31% had diarrhea as a symptom.

Other studies have not drawn the same conclusions. A 2018 study from Turkey reported that one in every 28 children with functional constipation actually had CD (less than 1%).These findings were echoed in a 2020 study from Colombia and a 2015 study from Iran.Given the conflicting results, further research is needed.

Constipation Relief for Celiac Disease

Diet is generally the preferred, first-line method to treat and prevent constipation associated with CD.

This typically involves:

If these interventions fail to provide relief, speak with your healthcare provider who may have medications that can help.

Also, check with your healthcare provider beforeusing an enemato treat CD-related constipation as it may place undue stress on already inflamed intestinal tissues.

Summary

Constipation in people with CD is best treated with a high-fiber diet, ample hydration, plenty of exercise, and the avoidance of constipating foods.

14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Usta Y.There is need a new insight for celiac disease.Turk J Gastroenterol.2018 Mar;29(2):148–150. doi:10.5152/tjg.2018.28218Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.Celiac disease: alleviating gastrointestinal symptoms.MedlinePlus.Constipation.National Health Service (UK).Constipation.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definitions and facts for celiac disease.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of constipation.Akman S, Sahaloglu O, Daklan C, Bahceciler NN, Arikan C.Is celiac disease misdiagnosed in children with functional constipation?Turk J Gastroenterol.2018 Mar;29(2):210–214. doi:10.5152/tjg.2018.17369Horstman SW, Lynch KM, Arendt EK.Starch characteristics linked to gluten-free products.Foods.2017 Apr;6(4):29. doi:10.3390/foods6040029Akman S, Sahaloglu O, Dalkan C, Behceciler NN, Arikan C.Is celiac disease misdiagnosed in children with functional constipation?Turk J Gastroenterol.2018 Mar;29(2):210–214. doi:10.5152/tjg.2018.17369Therrien Am Kelly CP, Silvester JA.Celiac disease: extraintestinal manifestations and associated conditions.J Clin Gastroenterol. 2020 Jan;54(1):8–21. doi:10.1097/MCG.0000000000001267Khatib M, Baker RD, Ly EK, Kozielski R, Baker SS.Presenting pattern of pediatric celiac disease.J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr.2016;62(1):60-3. doi:10.1097/MPG.0000000000000887Fifi A, Velasco-Benitez, Saps M.Celiac disease in children with functional constipation: a school-based multicity study.J Pediatr. 2020 Dec;227:77-80. doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2020.07.052Dehghani SM, Ehsaei Z, Honar N, Javaherizadeh H.Frequency of celiac disease in children With chronic functional constipation in Shiraz-Iran.Middle East J Dig Dis.2015 Jul;7:166–169.Massachusetts General Hospital.Eating fiber to manage constipation while on a gluten-free diet.Additional ReadingEgan-Mitchell B et al.Constipation in childhood celiac disease.Archives of Disease in Childhood. 1972 April; 47(252): 238–240. doi:10.1136/adc.47.252.238McElvaney NG et al.Coeliac disease: clinical presentations, correlations of dietary compliance, symptomatic response and repeat biopsy findings.The Ulster Medical Journal.Pelleboer RA et al.Celiac disease is overrepresented in patients with constipation.Jornal de pediatria. 2012 Mar-Apr;88(2):173-6. doi:10.2223/JPED.2155Volta U et al.The changing clinical profile of celiac disease: a 15-year experience in an Italian referral center.BMC Gastroenterology. 2014 Nov 18;14:194. doi:10.1186/s12876-014-0194-x

14 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Usta Y.There is need a new insight for celiac disease.Turk J Gastroenterol.2018 Mar;29(2):148–150. doi:10.5152/tjg.2018.28218Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.Celiac disease: alleviating gastrointestinal symptoms.MedlinePlus.Constipation.National Health Service (UK).Constipation.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definitions and facts for celiac disease.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of constipation.Akman S, Sahaloglu O, Daklan C, Bahceciler NN, Arikan C.Is celiac disease misdiagnosed in children with functional constipation?Turk J Gastroenterol.2018 Mar;29(2):210–214. doi:10.5152/tjg.2018.17369Horstman SW, Lynch KM, Arendt EK.Starch characteristics linked to gluten-free products.Foods.2017 Apr;6(4):29. doi:10.3390/foods6040029Akman S, Sahaloglu O, Dalkan C, Behceciler NN, Arikan C.Is celiac disease misdiagnosed in children with functional constipation?Turk J Gastroenterol.2018 Mar;29(2):210–214. doi:10.5152/tjg.2018.17369Therrien Am Kelly CP, Silvester JA.Celiac disease: extraintestinal manifestations and associated conditions.J Clin Gastroenterol. 2020 Jan;54(1):8–21. doi:10.1097/MCG.0000000000001267Khatib M, Baker RD, Ly EK, Kozielski R, Baker SS.Presenting pattern of pediatric celiac disease.J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr.2016;62(1):60-3. doi:10.1097/MPG.0000000000000887Fifi A, Velasco-Benitez, Saps M.Celiac disease in children with functional constipation: a school-based multicity study.J Pediatr. 2020 Dec;227:77-80. doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2020.07.052Dehghani SM, Ehsaei Z, Honar N, Javaherizadeh H.Frequency of celiac disease in children With chronic functional constipation in Shiraz-Iran.Middle East J Dig Dis.2015 Jul;7:166–169.Massachusetts General Hospital.Eating fiber to manage constipation while on a gluten-free diet.Additional ReadingEgan-Mitchell B et al.Constipation in childhood celiac disease.Archives of Disease in Childhood. 1972 April; 47(252): 238–240. doi:10.1136/adc.47.252.238McElvaney NG et al.Coeliac disease: clinical presentations, correlations of dietary compliance, symptomatic response and repeat biopsy findings.The Ulster Medical Journal.Pelleboer RA et al.Celiac disease is overrepresented in patients with constipation.Jornal de pediatria. 2012 Mar-Apr;88(2):173-6. doi:10.2223/JPED.2155Volta U et al.The changing clinical profile of celiac disease: a 15-year experience in an Italian referral center.BMC Gastroenterology. 2014 Nov 18;14:194. doi:10.1186/s12876-014-0194-x

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Usta Y.There is need a new insight for celiac disease.Turk J Gastroenterol.2018 Mar;29(2):148–150. doi:10.5152/tjg.2018.28218Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.Celiac disease: alleviating gastrointestinal symptoms.MedlinePlus.Constipation.National Health Service (UK).Constipation.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definitions and facts for celiac disease.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of constipation.Akman S, Sahaloglu O, Daklan C, Bahceciler NN, Arikan C.Is celiac disease misdiagnosed in children with functional constipation?Turk J Gastroenterol.2018 Mar;29(2):210–214. doi:10.5152/tjg.2018.17369Horstman SW, Lynch KM, Arendt EK.Starch characteristics linked to gluten-free products.Foods.2017 Apr;6(4):29. doi:10.3390/foods6040029Akman S, Sahaloglu O, Dalkan C, Behceciler NN, Arikan C.Is celiac disease misdiagnosed in children with functional constipation?Turk J Gastroenterol.2018 Mar;29(2):210–214. doi:10.5152/tjg.2018.17369Therrien Am Kelly CP, Silvester JA.Celiac disease: extraintestinal manifestations and associated conditions.J Clin Gastroenterol. 2020 Jan;54(1):8–21. doi:10.1097/MCG.0000000000001267Khatib M, Baker RD, Ly EK, Kozielski R, Baker SS.Presenting pattern of pediatric celiac disease.J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr.2016;62(1):60-3. doi:10.1097/MPG.0000000000000887Fifi A, Velasco-Benitez, Saps M.Celiac disease in children with functional constipation: a school-based multicity study.J Pediatr. 2020 Dec;227:77-80. doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2020.07.052Dehghani SM, Ehsaei Z, Honar N, Javaherizadeh H.Frequency of celiac disease in children With chronic functional constipation in Shiraz-Iran.Middle East J Dig Dis.2015 Jul;7:166–169.Massachusetts General Hospital.Eating fiber to manage constipation while on a gluten-free diet.

Usta Y.There is need a new insight for celiac disease.Turk J Gastroenterol.2018 Mar;29(2):148–150. doi:10.5152/tjg.2018.28218

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.Celiac disease: alleviating gastrointestinal symptoms.

MedlinePlus.Constipation.

National Health Service (UK).Constipation.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definitions and facts for celiac disease.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of constipation.

Akman S, Sahaloglu O, Daklan C, Bahceciler NN, Arikan C.Is celiac disease misdiagnosed in children with functional constipation?Turk J Gastroenterol.2018 Mar;29(2):210–214. doi:10.5152/tjg.2018.17369

Horstman SW, Lynch KM, Arendt EK.Starch characteristics linked to gluten-free products.Foods.2017 Apr;6(4):29. doi:10.3390/foods6040029

Akman S, Sahaloglu O, Dalkan C, Behceciler NN, Arikan C.Is celiac disease misdiagnosed in children with functional constipation?Turk J Gastroenterol.2018 Mar;29(2):210–214. doi:10.5152/tjg.2018.17369

Therrien Am Kelly CP, Silvester JA.Celiac disease: extraintestinal manifestations and associated conditions.J Clin Gastroenterol. 2020 Jan;54(1):8–21. doi:10.1097/MCG.0000000000001267

Khatib M, Baker RD, Ly EK, Kozielski R, Baker SS.Presenting pattern of pediatric celiac disease.J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr.2016;62(1):60-3. doi:10.1097/MPG.0000000000000887

Fifi A, Velasco-Benitez, Saps M.Celiac disease in children with functional constipation: a school-based multicity study.J Pediatr. 2020 Dec;227:77-80. doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2020.07.052

Dehghani SM, Ehsaei Z, Honar N, Javaherizadeh H.Frequency of celiac disease in children With chronic functional constipation in Shiraz-Iran.Middle East J Dig Dis.2015 Jul;7:166–169.

Massachusetts General Hospital.Eating fiber to manage constipation while on a gluten-free diet.

Egan-Mitchell B et al.Constipation in childhood celiac disease.Archives of Disease in Childhood. 1972 April; 47(252): 238–240. doi:10.1136/adc.47.252.238McElvaney NG et al.Coeliac disease: clinical presentations, correlations of dietary compliance, symptomatic response and repeat biopsy findings.The Ulster Medical Journal.Pelleboer RA et al.Celiac disease is overrepresented in patients with constipation.Jornal de pediatria. 2012 Mar-Apr;88(2):173-6. doi:10.2223/JPED.2155Volta U et al.The changing clinical profile of celiac disease: a 15-year experience in an Italian referral center.BMC Gastroenterology. 2014 Nov 18;14:194. doi:10.1186/s12876-014-0194-x

Egan-Mitchell B et al.Constipation in childhood celiac disease.Archives of Disease in Childhood. 1972 April; 47(252): 238–240. doi:10.1136/adc.47.252.238

McElvaney NG et al.Coeliac disease: clinical presentations, correlations of dietary compliance, symptomatic response and repeat biopsy findings.The Ulster Medical Journal.

Pelleboer RA et al.Celiac disease is overrepresented in patients with constipation.Jornal de pediatria. 2012 Mar-Apr;88(2):173-6. doi:10.2223/JPED.2155

Volta U et al.The changing clinical profile of celiac disease: a 15-year experience in an Italian referral center.BMC Gastroenterology. 2014 Nov 18;14:194. doi:10.1186/s12876-014-0194-x

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