Those afflicted often experience gastrointestinal symptoms like stomach pain, bloating, constipation, gas and diarrhoea. But not everyone does. In fact, you can have β€œsilent celiac” and have no idea.

Below, GI specialists explain what silent celiac is, how it’s diagnosed and treated and what to look out for.

β€œThis is a rare form of celiac, as usually patients develop GI symptoms from the malabsorption, which is secondary to the intestinal damage caused by the celiac disease,” said Dr. Kevin Cronley, a gastroenterologist with Gastro Health in Cincinnati.

The good news is there’s a clear and effective treatment for celiac disease, silent or otherwise. The bad news is it calls for a big lifestyle change.