Celiac disease is an inherited autoimmune disorder that affects the digestive process of the small intestine. When a person who has celiac disease consumes gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley, the individual’s immune system responds by attacking the small intestine and inhibiting the absorption of important nutrients into the body. Undiagnosed and untreated, celiac disease can lead to the development of other autoimmune disorders, as well as osteoporosis, infertility, neurological conditions and in rare cases, cancer.
What are the symptoms of Celiac Disease?*
There are many symptoms associated with CD. I have provided a list of some of the more common symptoms.
- Recurrent chronic Diarrhea.
- Regular Constipation.
- Excessive Foul Smelling Gases.
- Abdominal pains.
- Bones or Joint Pains (osteoporosis)
- Anemia or weight loss.
- Nerve damages in legs causing numbness and tingling.
- Miscarriage or infertility in women.
- Irregular menstrual periods.
For Children
- frequent diarrhea or constipation
- seizures
- failure to thrive
- mood swings, depression
- inability to concentrate
- irritability
- fatigue
- skin rashes
- bloated abdomen
- vomiting
There are many diseases associated with CD, the following list was found on Celiac.org
Other associated autoimmune disorders:
- Dermatitis Herpetiformis (DH)
- Insulin-dependent Type I Diabetes Mellitus
- Thyroid Disease
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- Liver Diseases
Less commonly linked to CD:
- Addison’s Disease
- Chronic Active Hepatitis
- Down Syndrome
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Turner Syndrome
- Williams Syndrome
- Sjögren’s Syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Alopecia Areata
- Scleroderma
How likely am I to have Celiac Disease if a relative is diagnosed?
In people with first-degree relatives (parent, child, sibling) who are celiac: 1 in 22
In people with second-degree relatives (aunt, uncle, cousin) who are celiac: 1 in 39
How is Celiac Disease diagnosed?**
First a person MUST be eating gluten for a preliminary diagnosis. Specific antibody blood tests help identify the presence of CD.
- Endomysial antibody (EMA-IgA)
- Tissue transglutaminase antibody (tTG - IgA/IgG)
- Anti-gliadin antibody (AGA-IgG, AGA-IgA)
- Total serum IgA
After a positive blood test a conclusive diagnosis will be made with a small bowel biopsy (which is performed endoscopically) to confirm the diagnosis and assess the degree of damage to the villi in the intestinal lining.
Because CD is a chronic disorder, the only treatment is the lifelong adherence to the gluten-free diet. When gluten is removed from the diet, the small intestine will start to heal and overall health improves. Medication is not normally required. Consult your physician regarding specific nutritional supplements to correct any deficiencies. The diagnosed celiac should have medical follow-up to monitor the clinical response to the gluten-free diet.
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. When a person is eating a gluten free (GF) diet it means they are not eating any foods that contain those grains or any of their derivatives (malt flavoring, wheat starch, spelt, etc).
Where can I buy gluten free foods?
You can find GF foods in any normal grocery store. Brands like Western Family and Wal-mart brand have begun printing "Gluten-free" on their products that fall under that category. Some grocery stores have even started having GF sections. Some of the local store like Macey's and Harmons have a pretty good selection of GF products. There are also online stores and websites that sell GF foods. Amazon. Com, EatingGlutenFree.com, Celiac.com are a few options. When buying online try to find reviews for products. Some GF foods are dry and not very tasty but are expensive. Ask around to find out what other people with celiac are saying about products. New and improved products are coming onto the market continually and it isn't too hard to find delicious foods.
I think I might have Celiac Disease what should I do?
Talking to your doctor is the first step. Research more about CD and go prepared with questions, many doctors still consider this a very rare disease and may not know very much about it. Ask for a full celiac blood panel to be taken. Discuss options with your physician. Remember you must be eating gluten daily in order for the blood tests to come back positive.
If you have a positive blood test, schedule a small bowel biopsy for a definitive diagnosis.
- Make a list of all the foods you already eat that are gluten free. (fish, potatoes, corn, rice, fruit, vegetables, eggs, etc.)
- Find a friend. With 1% of the population with CD chances are someone you know may already be living a GF diet. Ask around and ask for help.
- Remember it is okay to cry.
Some information found on the following links:
so this is alot of information, but i think it is really important to understand that this is not just a ploy to be "different" or a lifestyle choice for ppl with Celiac disease, although some ppl choose GF as a lifestyle. anyways the point is there are physiologic effects on the body, and that it causes chronic and even life threatening conditions that change peoples lifes forever
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