Is this caused by celiac?

palace · Joined: 28 Jan 2008 Posts: 8

Please can someone let me know if having repeated colds could be due to celiac disease?

I have had repeated colds and coughs over the last 6 months (since I started eating gluten again) along with other symptoms too. I am at my wits end as I don't know what to do to keep myself healthy.

I am wondering whether due to not absorbing nutrients that your immune system can be depleted and so make you more suceptible to getting ill?

Can someone please help me to answer this question? I feel like I'm going mad!

cruelshoes · Joined: 23 Sep 2005 Posts: 2688 Location: Washington State

A reduced immune system can be a symptom of celiac. If your body is already fighting gluten, it may be less able to cope with environmental factors like germs. There are other causes for that too, but celiac can be one of them. I do know I haven't had a cold since I got diagnosed 2.5 years ago. I used to experience them with some regularity.

Hope you feel better. Sad

_________________
-Colleen
Dx 8/05 via bloodwork/biopsy
10-YO son Dx 11/05 via bloodwork/biopsy
Daughters (12 and 2) have neg. bloodwork

A woman is like a tea bag-you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water. - Eleanor Roosevelt

nancw · Joined: 04 Oct 2006 Posts: 910 Location: Denver, CO

Pre-GF I got lots of colds...bad ones. I am currently finishing off my first cold in 18 months - since I went GF. In fact, it took ahilw to realize it was a cold and not my sinuses reacting to the ingestion of one of my bad foods.
_________________
Nance

gluten, dairy, soy, rice, yeast and 99% grain-free

NorthernElf · Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 9:22 am Post subject:

Sinus issues are often my first sign of glutening...others follow. Sad

I do find that glutening greatly increases my risk of sinus infections & colds - but *usually* being GF seems to reduce my affinity for colds & such. This last winter I missed most of it, or had less/shorter symptoms than my family because I have been super careful about gluten. Heck - if there is a cold in the house or I am feeling like I am getting one, I am very diligent about gluten. I work at a pool (lifeguard) so a cold + gluten + the pool environment is a very bad combination for my sinuses. Take away the first two and the pool environment is not a problem.

Sinus issues are a large part of what started me on the whole gluten thing - yeah, I've had stomach issues for years, bouts of aches & pains for no reason, as well as fatigue, but the sinus pain and congestion really made me seek help. On gluten I can feel each sinus and it hurts - even causing one eye pain. I know the difference between gluten and a cold - with the gluten there is little or no mucus, just swelling & pain.

Anyway, as to repeated colds being due to celiac - I would think yes, to uncontrolled celiac disease. There are other factors to consider though - like diet, enough sleep, etc.

ostrich · Joined: 30 Mar 2006 Posts: 4294 Location: Nebraska

My immune system seems to be much better on a GF diet. Before going GF I used to get nasty head colds every 3-4 months. Sometimes they'd change into the flu. Now I only get sick maybe twice per year. So yes, a reduced immune system could be traced back to gluten.

Hope you feel better soon! Sad

_________________
Ostrich :>--O==={

Did you think that your feet had been bound
By what gravity brings to the ground?

palace · Joined: 28 Jan 2008 Posts: 8

Thanks for all your experiences - it makes me feel better! I'm going to make sure I am 100% gluten free and really look after myself and hopefully this cold/cough I have at the moment will be the last for a while!!