It may seem inconceivable your bone pain in your legs is linked to a sandwich that you ate for lunch, but if you have celiac disease, the two can be directly connected. Gluten is present in most of the forms of flour commonly used to make bread. A genetically inherited intolerance for gluten, called celiac disease or gluten-sensitive enteropathy, could be the cause of your leg pain.

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is passed along genetically. If your mother, father, sister or brother has it, your risk of having it is higher. In a family with the genetic predisposition for celiac disease, about 1 out of every 10 family members will be gluten intolerant, according to Health Canada. Celiac disease causes damage to the inner lining of your small intestine when you eat gluten, leaving you unable to properly absorb nutrients.

Bone Pain Symptoms

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Leg bone pain is one of the symptoms of celiac disease. While infants and young children with celiac disease tend to have digestive problems, adults are more likely to suffer bone and joint pain, as well as fatigue, depression and women may miss menstrual periods. The bone pain experienced by those who have celiac disease may be linked to calcium loss caused by the inability to properly absorb nutrients. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, celiac patients who experience nighttime bone pain may be experiencing the effects of osteoporosis due to lack of calcium. To reverse these symptoms, you will have to follow a gluten-free diet.

Gluten-Free Diet

If you have celiac disease, the only way to escape symptoms, such as bone pain, is by avoiding all forms of gluten. Gluten is a protein in grains and foods prepared with grains. To avoid the symptoms of celiac disease, you must avoid wheat, barley, rye, commercial oats and related cereal grains. The list of foods containing gluten includes many products, ranging from beer to Communion wafers. If you are gluten intolerant, your doctor can provide you with a gluten-free diet plan that will help you take control of your condition and manage your symptoms effectively.

Considerations

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Though oats themselves are not dangerous for celiac patients, Dietitians of Canada explains that oats are often contaminated by other grains that contain gluten 1. As a result, oats can cause symptoms for those with celiac disease. Pure, uncontaminated oats are safe for most with celiac disease, though a small percentage of celiac disease patients may not be able to tolerate them.