What does abdominal pain feel like with coeliac disease?

Coeliac Disease can cause pain across the abdomen, with fullness, trapped wind, or cramps. It may occur alongside diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, or unusually bulky and pale stools. Some people notice symptoms after eating foods containing gluten, while others have less obvious digestive symptoms. The discomfort reflects an immune reaction that affects the small intestine and can interfere with normal nutrient absorption.

Pain after eating gluten does not establish the diagnosis on its own. Irritable bowel symptoms, food intolerance, infection, and other digestive conditions can overlap. Testing is most useful while you are still eating gluten, because removing it beforehand can affect the results.

Keep a brief record of meals, pain, bowel changes, tiredness, and weight changes. Speak with a clinician before starting a gluten-free diet if coeliac disease is being considered; they can arrange suitable blood tests and explain whether further assessment is needed. Do not rely on home testing alone to interpret persistent symptoms.

Book an appointment for recurring pain, ongoing diarrhoea, unexplained tiredness, weight loss, mouth ulcers, or signs that may suggest poor nutrient absorption. Seek urgent help for severe worsening pain, repeated vomiting, a swollen rigid abdomen, fainting, blood in stools, or inability to keep fluids down. These features need prompt assessment rather than dietary experimentation.

Could coeliac disease explain my pain and bowel symptoms? Should I continue eating gluten until testing is complete? Which blood tests are appropriate? How can I meet nutritional needs if a gluten-free diet is recommended?