Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is an autoimmune digestive disorder that damages the small intestinal villi and can interfere with absorption of nutrients. These villi are multiple small finger like protrusion in the small bowel. The villi are what allow absorption of nutrients from the food we eat. Without healthy villi nutrients can’t be absorbed. People with celiac disease can’t tolerate gluten, a protein in many grains. Eating gluten causes damage to the villi for suffers of celiac disease. Celiac disease is estimated to affect two million people in the United States.
Causes of Celiac disease
The cause of celiac disease is not clearly understood. There appear to be a genetic component and if a family member has the disease you have a five to fifteen percent higher chance of having celiac disease. The disease may be present but not active and triggered by such things as surgery, pregnancy, sever stress and infections. It is generally recommended family members be tested for the disease since some people will have no obvious symptoms.
Diagnosis of Celiac Disease
Diagnosis of celiac disease is based on history, physical exam and blood test. Tissue transglutaminase antibody and anti-endomysium antibodies are blood test for antibodies which are present in the blood of people with celiac disease. It’s important to continue your regular diet before being having your blood drawn to avoid a false negative which can occur if gluten has been removed from the diet before testing. A small intestine biopsy which involves removing a small portion of villi through an endoscope will confirm the diagnosis.
Symptoms of Celiac Disease
Symptoms of celiac disease can vary from person to person making diagnosis difficult. Symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, abdominal pain and bloating and weight less. In children the disease may cause problems with growth and development and dental difficulties. Other symptoms include anemia, fatigue, joint pain, infertility, bone loss, depression, tingling of hands and feet and a skin rash called dermatitis herpetiformis. People can have no symptoms and still suffer damage to their small intestine over time. Some people have the disease for a decade or more before the appropriate diagnosis is made.
Treatment of Celiac Disease
Treatment primarily centers on a gluten free diet. Most grains such as wheat, barley, rye and oats have gluten and need to be avoided. In addition, gluten may be hiding in many products such as vitamins and stamp adhesive. Despite these limitations people with celiac disease can use potatoes, rice, soy, quinoa, and buckwheat or bean flour and eat vegetables, fruit, fish and meat with no problem. Your doctor will refer you to a dietician for a consultation and help in changing your diet.
Most people with celiac disease respond well to a gluten free diet and the small intestine heals over time. A few people will suffer so much small bowel damage they will require parenteral or intravenous nutrition. Celiac disease in not curable and will require a lifetime diet change.
Sources:
<http://www.celiac.org/>
<http://www.medicinenet.com/celiac_disease/article.htm>
<http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/celiac/>
This article is meant to be informational and is not medical advice. Follow up with your doctor for questions regarding your health.
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