7. Joint Pain: The Invisible Chains
Joint pain is a frequent complaint, often chalked up to reasons ranging from an old injury, wear and tear, to just the aging process. Yet, when a young woman experiences persistent joint pain without a clear cause, it’s worth digging deeper.
For those with celiac disease, this joint pain can feel akin to being in shackles. The pain isn’t localized; it flits and floats, making an appearance in various joints without prior notice. One day it could be the knees groaning in protest; another day, it might be the wrists or the fingers feeling stiff.
The connection? Inflammation. Celiac disease, at its core, is an inflammatory condition. The immune response triggered by gluten not only targets the intestines but can also result in widespread inflammation, affecting the joints. This response creates a kind of internal storm, where the body is almost at war with itself, leading to these manifestations of joint pain. (7)
