--- title: "Recovering From Celiac Disease | Sutter Health" description: "I've been on a gluten-free diet for a year. Does that mean that the \"fingers\" in my small intestine are back to normal? I still have problems with eating too much fiber at one time, causing looser and somewhat urgent bowel movements the next morning." url: "/ask-an-expert/answers/recovering-from-celiac-disease-1051061466" --- 1. Home / 2. Recovering From Celiac Disease # Recovering From Celiac Disease * * * Medically reviewed by - Robert Osterhoff, M.D. ## Question I've been on a gluten-free diet for a year. Does that mean that the "fingers" in my small intestine are back to normal? I still have problems with eating too much fiber at one time, causing looser and somewhat urgent bowel movements the next morning. ## Answer For patients who have a diagnosis of celiac disease, the small intestine will typically heal once exposure to gluten is eliminated. This means that the "fingers" of the intestine, which are known as villi, do often grow back. Fiber can make bowel movements somewhat looser and can even cause some urgency, but this is often an intended result of a high-fiber diet and is not necessarily a bad thing. However if bowel movements are too loose, become watery diarrhea, or lead to severe fecal urgency, then this could be a sign of another problem and should be evaluated. ## Explore related topics Digestive healthGluten Sensitivity and Intolerance ## Meet our care team Robert Osterhoff, M.D. Gastroenterology ## Related questions View all questions - Health Q&A ### Celiac Disease and Lactose Intolerance: Can enzymes help? I just purchased a gluten lactase enzyme medication that claims to let me eat anything safely. I have recently been diagnosed with celiac disease, and also feel lactose intolerant. Will this product work, or did I just waste my money? - Health Q&A ### Diet and Hyperthyroidism I recently was diagnosed with Graves's disease. I also have gluten intolerance and have been eating some gluten foods. Do you think that my diet contributed to hyperthyroidism? - Health Q&A ### Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Diet I have a gluten and a dairy intolerance as well as high cholesterol. Do you have a diet suggestion that may address these issues and still allow me to enjoy meal times? I hate tofu! - Health Q&A ### Lactose and Gluten Sensitivity? Is the presence of lactose intolerance and/or irritable bowel syndrome typically associated with someone who may also be sensitive to gluten? - Health Q&A ### "Silent GERD" Prevention and Treatment I have been diagnosed with "silent GERD". I don't want to take medication the rest of my life. Any suggestions? I have phlegm in my throat that I cannot associate with any specific foods. 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Does that mean that the \"fingers\" in my small intestine are back to normal? I still have problems with eating too much fiber at one time, causing looser and somewhat urgent bowel movements the next morning.","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/ask-an-expert/answers/recovering-from-celiac-disease-1051061466#answer","text":"For patients who have a diagnosis of celiac disease, the small intestine will typically heal once exposure to gluten is eliminated. This means that the \"fingers\" of the intestine, which are known as villi, do often grow back. Fiber can make bowel movements somewhat looser and can even cause some urgency, but this is often an intended result of a high-fiber diet and is not necessarily a bad thing. 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