Study Suggests Link Between Celiac Disease and Anorexia Nervosa

Throughout the years, studies about eating disorders have come a long way. Because of these medical breakthroughs, such discoveries are now used in treating multiple diseases like pica and bulimia. In a time wherein eating disorder cases are steadily rising, studies are frequently conducted all the more since a lot is still yet to be known. Just recently, a group of researchers found out that there may be a link between anorexia nervosa and celiac disease. It was stated that women who are diagnosed with celiac disease are 2 times more prone to develop anorexia nervosa in the future. Additionally, women less than 19 years old are 4.5 times inclined to receive a diagnosis for anorexia nervosa.

How does food affect both illnesses?

As mentioned by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease, this digestive disorder can affect 1 of every 141 citizens in the United States. This disease is known to affect the immune system every time a diagnosed person eats food with gluten. Because of the lack of significant nutrients, the small intestine gets damaged, which hampers nutrient absorption. Foods that are damaging include barley, rye, oats, and wheat.

On the other hand, anorexia nervosa, an extreme eating disorder, affects 1% of women in the United States. While men can also be diagnosed with the disorder, it is most commonly diagnosed in women. The most noticeable sign of this illness is the severe loss of weight. Also, diagnosed individuals have an intense fear of gaining weight due to personal and psychological reasons. Because of their distorted fear, one becomes fixated in restricting food intake and subjecting oneself to extreme exercise.

How are these illnesses linked?

Recently, scientists from Sweden found a link between celiac and anorexia from medical histories of women affected with celiac. The astonishing part is that these scientists found out that several of these women received or were also diagnosed with anorexia. Additionally, researchers found out that the likelihood of developing celiac after being diagnosed with anorexia is very high. Despite this discovery, both illnesses are usually misdiagnosed since both show similar symptoms

What causes the misdiagnosis?

The link between these two can be diagnosed wrongly. While there are some people with both illnesses who are diagnosed properly, the others suffer at the wrong hands. So, the wrong treatment plan is often given. Unfortunately, some people are mistaken to have anorexia even if they are just naturally shedding off the weight due to malnutrition from celiac. What’s more confusing for some is that some celiac patients can possibly develop an eating disorder from too much gluten restriction while anorexics become more prone to celiac because of their poor relationship with food. To eliminate the misdiagnosis, physicians should take the time to have a lengthy discussion with the patients and observe them thoroughly to avoid failed treatments. In cases like these, experts from different fields should work hand in hand to come up with an accurate diagnosis.