Gluten Intolerance Symptoms in Adults

Bloating and Pain

Gluten intolerance symptoms vary in type and severity. If you have a mild intolerance, you could experience bloating and subtle abdominal pain after eating gluten-containing foods. In some cases, bloating and cramping are severe. Although these symptoms are particularly common in children with celiac disease, according to the NDDIC, they can affect adults.

Diarrhea and Vomiting

When your body does not tolerate gluten, it deems the protein toxic. As a means of ridding itself of the harmful substance, your digestive system may react by ejecting foods eaten through diarrhea or vomiting. Diarrhea can also result from abdominal cramps related to gluten consumption. If you experience severe or long-lasting diarrhea or vomiting, dehydration and unintentional weight loss can result.

Constipation

Constipation, or having fewer than three bowel movements per week, is extremely common, according to the NDDIC, and usually caused by a low-fiber or low-fluid diet. If you are gluten intolerant, you can experience constipation while consuming plentiful amounts of fiber and water. This is because many fiber-rich foods, such as whole-grain breads and cereals, contain gluten. Constipation can increase other symptoms of gluten intolerance, such as bloating and abdominal discomfort, and occur chronically or intermittent, between bouts of diarrhea.

Nutrient Deficiencies

If you have celiac disease, gluten causes inflammation and atrophy to your intestinal tract. This reduces your body's ability to absorb calories and vital nutrients, according to the American Celiac Disease Alliance. Adults may experience unexplained iron deficiency anemia. Low iron levels can cause a variety of bothersome symptoms, such as fatigue, dizziness, muscle weakness, mental confusion and irritability.

Joint Pain

Over time, reduced absorption of calcium and vitamin D and poor calorie intake or absorption can lead to bone loss. For this reason, many adults with celiac disease experience bone pain, joint pain and, in severe cases, bone loss and osteoporosis -- a condition marked by brittle bones. The longer you go without diagnosis and proper treatment of celiac disease, the more likely you are to experience osteoporosis and other complications.

Depression and Anxiety

Gluten intolerance can interfere with your moods in numerous ways. Physical symptoms can cause stress and anxiety. You could feel anxious about eating knowing that abdominal pain or diarrhea might follow, or feel depressed over chronic symptoms you've yet to understand. Nutritional deficiencies can also interfere with moods. Consuming too few carbohydrates, for example, can reduce your brain's ability to produce the feel-good brain chemical serotonin, according to Psychology Today, leading to increased agitation and depressive moods.

Menstrual Problems

Women with celiac disease can experienced irregular or missed periods. Heavy menstruation can also occur and trigger low iron levels. If you experience these symptoms, it's particularly important to seek proper diagnosis, says the NDDIC, because celiac disease can be confused with iron deficiency anemia related to heavy menstruation. Menstrual irregularities can also contribute to fertility problems.