How common is abdominal pain in coeliac disease?

In coeliac disease, eating gluten triggers an immune reaction that damages the lining of the small intestine. This can lead to abdominal pain, bloating, excess wind, diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, tiredness, or difficulty maintaining weight. Some people have few digestive symptoms, while others notice symptoms after gluten-containing meals. These features overlap with irritable bowel syndrome, food intolerance, infection, and other digestive conditions. Pain therefore needs to be interpreted alongside the whole pattern and appropriate testing.

Keep a record of pain, bloating, bowel changes, meals, tiredness, and weight changes. Speak with a clinician about testing if symptoms are persistent or recurring, or if coeliac disease runs in your family. Do not start a gluten-free diet before discussing testing, because removing gluten can affect the accuracy of some tests. Ask for advice about nutrition if food restriction is being considered.

Seek urgent help for severe or rapidly worsening pain, a swollen or rigid abdomen, repeated vomiting, blood in stool, black stool, fainting, or signs of dehydration. Arrange prompt assessment for ongoing diarrhoea, unexplained weight loss, marked tiredness, or symptoms that interfere with eating and daily activities. Children with poor growth or persistent digestive symptoms should also be reviewed.

Ask whether coeliac testing is appropriate, whether you should continue eating gluten before testing, what other explanations fit the symptoms, and how nutrition will be supported if coeliac disease is confirmed.