Thousands of people in Wales could be suffering with coeliac disease with no knowledge that they have the condition due to experiencing lesser-known symptoms. According to leading charity Coeliac UK around 20,000 people in Wales are potentially suffering with the debilitating symptoms of undiagnosed coeliac disease.
The autoimmune condition causes the body to attack its own tissue when people eat gluten, which is found in wheat, barley, and rye. If left untreated it can cause gut damage and serious health complications. The only treatment for the disease is a strict gluten-free diet for life.
The most common symptoms of the condition, according to the NHS, are diarrhoea, abdominal pain, bloating and passing wind, indigestion, constipation, and vomiting.
