IBS Management: Why You Need an Upper Endoscopy to Confirm Celiac Disease

You’ve had gastrointestinal problems for a while. Could it be irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or celiac disease? You’re tired of having diarrhea and feeling bloated, among other uncomfortable symptoms. You even may have lost weight because you’re afraid that what you eat will give you a stomachache. 

Our board-certified team at Desert Valley Gastroenterology specializes in the digestive system, which includes the esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and bile ducts. We conduct a thorough examination and administer testing when necessary to arrive at an accurate diagnosis, whether it’s celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, an ulcer, or something else. 

April is IBS Awareness Month, which makes it a good time to learn more about digestive health. If you’re struggling to manage IBS, you may want to get tested for celiac disease. 

Perhaps you’ve had a positive antibody test. However, the only sure way to determine if you have celiac disease as opposed to another problem — such as an ulcer, a genetic condition preventing sugar breakdown, or even cancer — is an upper endoscopy.  

What is an upper endoscopy? 

Your doctor may perform an upper endoscopy — called an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) — to visualize what’s happening inside your GI tract. You’re sedated for the procedure. 

During an EGD, your doctor inserts a thin scope in your mouth and moves it down into your small intestine. Your provider examines the tissue — the lining of your small intestine may be inflamed from celiac disease — and biopsies 4-6 samples. 

Your physician examines your villi, tiny tissues that look like some types of sea coral under a microscope. They enable your body to absorb the nutrients in your food. If you have celiac disease, gluten shrinks the villi, diminishing your capacity to absorb nutrients.

How an upper endoscopy can identify celiac disease 

The following are ways that an upper endoscopy helps identify celiac disease. 

Visualization 

Your doctor can see the small intestine walls and the surrounding areas. This helps determine whether your villi are abnormal and can identify other types of damage. 

Biopsy

The tissue samples your doctor takes during the upper endoscopy confirm the type of damage consistent with celiac disease. The biopsy is the gold standard test for celiac disease. 

Differentiating celiac from other digestive conditions

Your symptoms — which may include diarrhea, constipation, bloating, nausea, and abdominal pain — are similar to those of other health conditions such as Crohn’s disease, esophagitis, or peptic ulcers. The biopsy confirms celiac disease versus other digestive issues. 

Identifying the severity of celiac disease 

The EGD allows your doctor to see the condition of your small intestine and other parts of your digestive system. In addition to using the tool for diagnosis, your provider can assess the severity of the condition.

Partner with our team

The good news? We can help you manage your condition, whether it’s IBS, celiac disease, or something else. You can reverse the damage from celiac disease in most cases if you adhere to dietary changes during your lifetime. As with other conditions, early diagnosis affords a better prognosis.

If you have digestive issues that diminish your quality of life, call Desert Valley Gastroenterology in Mesa, Arizona, for an appointment. We help guide you to recovery.