Celiac Disease

23 de mayo de 2020

4 min de lectura

All of those gluten-free foods available in the supermarket were originally formulated for those dealing with celiac disease. The autoimmune condition known as celiac disease results from the consumption of gluten, a protein found in wheat, along with rye and barley.

When those with celiac disease eat gluten, the protein causes an immune response in the small intestine. This, in turn, causes damage to the small intestine and affects its ability to absorb nutrients. It is especially serious in children, as poor nutrient absorption can lead to growth and development delays.

In a worst-case scenario, people, especially youngsters, may develop malnutrition from celiac disease. Infertility may result from a lack of sufficient calcium. That lack can also lead to osteoporosis, or bone thinning. Seizures or other problems with the central nervous system may appear. There is also an increased risk of various forms of gastrointestinal cancer.

There is no cure for celiac disease, but most people respond well to careful dietary management.

Celiac Disease Symptoms

Celiac disease affects people in different ways, so there are many potential symptoms. That is one reason it is often a difficult condition to diagnose. Suspect celiac disease if experiencing some of the following symptoms:

Abdominal pain
Anemia
Bloating
Constipation
Diarrhea
Fatigue
Flatulence
Nausea
Pale stools with an especially foul odor
Vomiting
Weight loss

Adults may deal with symptoms unrelated to the gastrointestinal system, including headache, joint pain, skin rashes, mouth ulcers, depression, and balance or cognitive issues.

If these problems do not resolve within a few weeks, visit your doctor. However, do not attempt to go on to a gluten-free diet prior to diagnosis. These symptoms are common in many other conditions, and not eating gluten for a prolonged period prior to testing can change test results and a possible diagnosis.

Risk Factors

Celiac disease may run in families. If you had a close relative with the condition, such as parents or siblings, your odds of developing celiac disease rise.

Those with Type 1 diabetes are at increased risk of celiac disease. Celiac disease often accompanies other conditions, including Down syndrome, Addison’s disease, Turner’s disease, and thyroid disease.

Celiac Disease Diagnosis

Blood tests can confirm celiac disease. Patients with this disease will have elevated levels of certain antibodies in their blood, indicating the body has an immune reaction to gluten. If the patient receives a positive antibody test, further testing is necessary. These may include an endoscopy to view the small intestine.

In an endoscopy, also known as an intestinal biopsy, the doctor inserts a long tube with a minute camera attached to it into the upper throat. From there, the camera can take photos of the small intestine as well as take a tissue sample. The procedure is done under local anesthesia.

An alternative is capsule endoscopy. In this procedure, the patient swallows a small capsule with a camera within. The camera takes and sends photos as it travels through the digestive tract.

Because the symptoms are so common in other ailments, blood testing can also rule out a celiac disease diagnosis. Genetic tests for certain leukocyte antigens serve this purpose.

Celiac Disease Treatment

While a gluten-free diet is a primary celiac disease treatment, this is not a DIY endeavor. Many people with celiac disease do not respond to what they think is gluten-free eating because they are inadvertently still consuming gluten products. Consulting a doctor and nutritionist is essential to ensure you are indeed avoiding gluten.

If a patient’s small intestine is particularly damaged, the doctor may prescribe steroids for inflammation reduction.

Within a few weeks of starting a gluten-free diet, the overwhelming majority of patients will feel better and symptoms should lessen, then disappear. In time, the damage done to the small intestine will heal. However, keep in mind that a gluten-free diet is a lifelong commitment. Breaking the diet or accidentally eating food containing gluten will result in symptoms returning.

There is a rare condition known as refractory celiac disease in which patients truly do not respond to a gluten-free diet. If a prescribed, carefully-adhered-to gluten-free diet does not offer symptom relief after six months, consult your doctor. This condition does not heal, and patients require specialized evaluation.

The good news is that most children are healed significantly within a few months of eating gluten-free. It may take longer for adults, although they should feel better relatively soon. Completing healing may take a few years.

Gluten Avoidance

Gluten is not only found in food. Thousands of ordinary products contain gluten. These may include:

Lipsticks and lip balm
Mouthwash
Over-the-counter medications
Prescription medications
Toothpaste
Vitamin and herbal supplements

Then there is the gluten hiding in items as diverse as Communion wafers and Play-dough. Successfully battling celiac disease requires constant vigilance about anything you eat, drink, or put in or on your mouth.

Sources

Información general, no consejo médico

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En esta página

Celiac Disease Symptoms

Risk Factors

Celiac Disease Diagnosis

Celiac Disease Treatment

Gluten Avoidance

Sources

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