What should you know about celiac and Crohn's disease?

Celiac disease is an immune reaction to gluten that damages the small-bowel lining in susceptible people. Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory condition that can affect any part of the digestive tract and may involve deeper bowel layers. Either condition can present with abdominal pain, diarrhoea, fatigue or weight change, but the pattern and examination findings can differ.

Having symptoms that resemble one condition does not establish the other. Testing may include blood tests and, depending on the results, specialist assessment or other investigations. Avoid starting a strict gluten-free diet before discussing testing for celiac disease, because changing gluten intake can affect how results are interpreted.

Book a GP consultation if bowel symptoms persist, recur or interfere with eating and daily activities. Note stool changes, pain location, weight change, fever, mouth ulcers, joint symptoms and foods that seem relevant. Do not begin restrictive diets or supplements without guidance, since inadequate intake can worsen nutritional problems. A clinician can coordinate blood testing and referral when needed.

Seek urgent medical care for severe or steadily worsening abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, a swollen abdomen, fainting, heavy rectal bleeding, black stools, high fever or inability to keep fluids down. Prompt review is also needed for unintentional weight loss, persistent blood in stools or signs of dehydration.

Ask which tests can separate celiac disease from Crohn's disease, whether you should continue eating gluten before testing, and how possible nutritional deficiencies will be assessed.