Your digestive system is a hard-working machine. The energy it takes to break down food and assimilate it into -- and out of -- your system is often taken for granted, until something goes wrong. And that's just the case when it comes to celiac disease, a recipe for digestive disaster. Question is -- do you know the celiac disease symptoms? 

Believe it or not, there are actually hundreds of celiac symptoms associated with the condition. In fact, if you suspect you or your child might have the disease, see a doctor. Symptoms can differ widely among adults and children, and some sufferers exhibit no symptoms at all. 

According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, an estimated 3 million Americans suffer from this condition. WebMD describes the condition as "a digestive disorder that occurs in reaction to gluten, a protein found in rye, barley, wheat, and hundreds of foods made with these grains. The body's immune system reacts to the gluten and causes damage to the intestine." 

Celiac disease can damage the intestinal lining, which often results in a multitude of direct and/or peripheral side effects. Below are some of the more common celiac disease symptoms, though it's far from an exhaustive list. 

Celiac Disease in Children 

Children may experience "classic signs" of the condition, notes the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center. They might include: 

• growth problems;
• abdominal bloating;
• recurring pain;
• fatigue;
• irritability;
• chronic diarrhea;
• vomiting;
• constipation or pale, foul-smelling stool;
• problems with dental enamel; and
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). 

Further, the Mayo Clinic notes that about three-quarters of children with this condition are overweight or obese. 

Celiac Disease in Adults 

While many adults won't be affected by symptoms, signs of this chronic illness may prevent themselves. In fact, the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center notes that adults are less likely to have digestive-related symptoms of the disorder. Only one-third of adults with celiac disease experience diarrhea related to the condition. Iron deficiency anemia that is unresponsive to iron therapy is the most common sign of celiac disease in adults. But again, some sufferers are asymptomatic. 

When celiac disease causes symptoms, it is often because of a compromised intestinal tract and the inability to absorb essential nutrients properly, which can cause malnutrition or weight loss. In turn, malnutrition can lead to iron deficiency. 

Other side effects of celiac disease related to malnutrition or weight loss might include: 

• osteoporosis;
• fatigue
• infertility;
• miscarriage;
• mouth ulcers; or
• tingling sensation in hands or feet. 
  

The Mayo Clinic points out that about one-half of people with celiac disease experience weight loss. About 20 percent have constipation, and about 10 percent are obese. 

Another telltale sign, dermatitis herpetiformis -- an itchy, blistering rash – may indicate the presence celiac disease. Switching to a gluten-free diet might help get rid of the rash. A gluten-free diet isn't just a weight-loss fad. Doctors commonly recommend it to treat celiac disease. 

What You Don't Know Might Hurt You 

Many people have celiac disease and don't even know it. The Mayo Clinic reports that most people who have the condition have no or few celiac symptoms, and only about 20 to 30 percent of children who have celiac disease actually have symptoms. So while gastrointestinal symptoms are more common in children, most children with the disease will not have these symptoms. 

Even if a patient has no symptoms of the disease, he or she still may be at risk of complications, reports the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center. 

Serious complications may include:

• osteoporosis;
• thyroid disease;
• neurological and psychiatric problems;
• nerve damage; and
• cancer. 
  

This begs the questions: If I don't have any symptoms of celiac disease, then: 

• How do I know I have it?
• How do I know if I should discuss it with my doctor?
• How do I know whether to get tested? 

Should I Get Tested for Celiac Disease? 

It may take up to four years for symptomatic patients to receive a diagnosis of celiac disease, which allows the disease to progress and potentially allow those serious complications to develop. If you have no celiac disease symptoms, it may take longer. 

So it's important to see your doctor if you suspect you have celiac disease. Even if it's not celiac disease, some symptoms may be signs of other problematic conditions that require medical attention. 

Other people who should be tested include those with relatives who have celiac disease, especially parents, siblings or children. Even those with distant relatives with the condition should see their doctor. 

Those who should be tested periodically include sufferers of: 

• type 1 diabetes;
• infertility or frequent miscarriages;
• Down syndrome;
• Turner's syndrome;
• Hashimoto's thyroiditis;
• Williams Syndrome; or
• Graves disease. 

Not sure if any of the above apply to you? Bring it up to your doctor on your next appointment. Tell him or her you are worried you may have celiac disease. Your doctor likely will ask why, inquire about any symptoms and make a decision regarding whether it is worth testing you for the condition. 

If you have celiac disease, early intervention is key. While it cannot be reversed, the condition is manageable.