The cause of celiac disease, also known as gluten-sensitive enteropathy (GSE), is still a mystery. Sometimes the disease is triggered-or becomes active for the first time-after some particular factors, such as surgery, pregnancy, childbirth, viral infection, or severe emotional stress.

Risk factors
Risk factors increase the likelihood of experiencing a disease or condition. Celiac disease, for example, tends to be more common in people who are of European descent. Celiac disease also seems to be genetically conditioned. This is why it is strongly suggested that family members of a diagnosed with celiac be tested to confirm or exclude the diagnostic possibility, even if asymptomatic.

Furthermore, if you have another autoimmune disorder, you are at greater risk of developing celiac disease. These disorders include:

• Autoimmune thyroid disease
• Dermatitis herpetiformis (a skin condition)
• Lupus
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Type 1 diabetes

Celiac disease is a life altering illness. To learn to identify the signs and symptoms of gluten intolerance, continue reading. Our next section on celiac symptoms, reviews how Celiac Disease Symptoms affect people differently.