In Celiac disease, which symptom is commonly associated with the condition?

In Celiac disease, the immune response to gluten leads to damage in the small intestine, particularly affecting the intestinal villi. These villi play a crucial role in nutrient absorption as they increase the surface area available for this function. When someone has Celiac disease and consumes gluten, the resulting inflammation causes the villi to become blunted or flattened, which significantly decreases the surface area for absorption and can lead to various gastrointestinal symptoms and malabsorption issues.

This blunting of the villi is a key pathological feature of Celiac disease and is often assessed through biopsies during diagnosis. Individuals with this condition frequently experience symptoms such as diarrhea, weight loss, and nutritional deficiencies due to the impaired absorption resulting from the damaged intestinal lining. Understanding the role of the intestinal villi in Celiac disease is essential in recognizing how the disease manifests and affects overall health.