Foot Pain and Celiac Disease
2 min read
While celiac disease is a condition of the digestive tract, its implications can be far-reaching. Remember that most experts agree that the immune system resides in the digestive tract. Because of this, celiac disease can lead to complications well beyond the small intestine.
Individuals suffering from celiac disease could find themselves confronting other ailments from diabetes, lupus, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, to schizophrenia.
This disease can have a negative impact on the nervous system, causing nerve damage to the extremities of hands and feet. Foot pain, burning, and numbness are common symptoms of this disease. The pain in the feet can be sharp or dull. This condition is defined as neuropathy, which causes the individual to feel as though he or she is wearing socks or gloves when, in fact, they are not. People suffering from celiac disease may also experience weakness in their muscles, loss of sensation in the body and face, along with a decreased sense of touch.
Celiac disease is one of the most undiagnosed illnesses in modern medicine because its symptoms mimic so many other diseases that are more easily diagnosed. Often, the only way to confirm the presence of celiac disease is through blood tests, internal biopsy, neurological exam, electromyography, and nerve testing.
To prevent the worsening of this disease, physicians recommend a gluten-free diet. This is the only known effective treatment. After a time of living gluten-free most sufferers experience a dramatic positive change in their health. Foot pain and other symptoms have been known to reduce greatly or disappear altogether. Holistic pain remedies can be sought for problems with the feet or hands like wearing loose shoes and soothing mineral soakings. Small doses of over-the-counter pain relievers can be beneficial, as well.
If you have celiac disease and are suffering numbness in your feet, be careful to care for them earnestly as you recover. Lack of sensation in the feet can cause sores from abrasion or infection from cuts. Pay particular attention to your feet when showering or bathing and be certain that no injury goes unattended.
Note: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice.
