Medical history and physical examination for celiac disease

Content provided by Healthwise

Medical history and physical examination for celiac disease

Medical history

During a medical history for celiac disease, your health professional will ask the following types of questions:

• What kinds of symptoms do you have? How long have you had them?
• Can you describe any unusual stools you've had recently? How often do they occur?
• Has your appetite changed?
• Do you notice symptoms more after eating certain types of food?
• Are you losing weight? Is a child with symptoms gaining weight as expected?
• Are you tired most of the time?
• Do you have any other medical conditions?
• Do you have a family history of celiac disease or other intestinal diseases?
• Have you ever had anemia?
• Have you had any bone fractures or bone pain?

Physical examination

During the physical exam, your health professional will examine you or your child to see what effects the symptoms have had on the body. The doctor will also check to see if there may be other causes of the symptoms. During a physical exam, your health professional will:

• Check height and weight.
• Look at, listen to, and feel the abdomen.
• Check for signs of dehydration.

Credits

Last updated:	June 23, 2008
Author:	Monica Rhodes
Reviewed By:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics, Jerry S. Trier, MD - Gastroenterology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC