Getting to Know Celiac Disease
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Celiac Disease refers to a condition in which the affected
individual is unable to consume gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and
rye, without an adverse autoimmune reaction. When an individual with celiac
disease consumes any food item containing gluten, their immune system creates significant inflammation in their small intestine . This causes damage to the small
hair-like projections along its lining, called villi, which are responsible for
absorption of nutrients. As a result, this damage leads to the malabsorption of
important nutrients the individual needs (Celiac Disease Foundation).
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This image shows a comparison between the small intestine lining of a healthy
individual without celiac disease (left), and the damaged small intestine lining of an
individual affected with celiac disease (right).
Celiac disease is estimated to affect 1 in 100 people in the
world, and individuals with a direct relative (mother, father, sibling) have a
1 in 10 chance of developing it. Additionally, celiac disease can develop
at any age after the consumption of gluten in certain foods or medicines (Celiac Disease Foundation). It is
important that an individual seek treatment for his or her condition, because
if left untreated, celiac disease can lead to the development of type I diabetes,
multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, infertility, intestinal cancer, anemia,
dermatitis herpetiformis, and several neurological conditions including
epilepsy and migraines. Additionally, a 1999 study found that the later the
diagnosis of celiac disease, the more likely individuals were to develop
another autoimmune disease (MayoClinic).
However, currently, the only treatment for
celiac disease is a strict adherence to eating a completely gluten-absent diet.
This means avoiding foods like bread and beer, which can be very difficult to
do. Even the ingestion of small amounts of gluten, such as crumbs, can trigger
the dangerous, detrimental immune response. Additionally, there is no cure for
celiac disease (MayoClinic).
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This image shows what the consumption of gluten-containing food and
drink can do to the lining of a healthy small intestine.
There are over 300 known symptoms of
celiac disease, and these include but are not limited to abdominal bloating/pain,
constipation, chronic diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue, weight loss, ADHD in
children, short stature, behavioral issues in children, bone or joint pain,
idiopathic iron-deficiency anemia, depression, seizures or migraines,
infertility, or canker sores inside the mouth (University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center). Celiac disease is diagnosed
after the individual has been screened with serologic (blood) tests that look
for celiac disease antibodies (the most commonly used test is called a tTG-IgA
test), and a biopsy of the small intestine has been performed. In the biopsy,
physicians search for damage caused that is indicative of celiac disease. The
diagnosis of celiac disease can also be confirmed if this damage is improved
with the incorporation of a gluten-free diet (Celiac Central).
If you or a loved one think you may be
experiencing the symptoms of celiac disease, it is important to see your doctor
right away.
Celiac Disease: What Kids Have to Say
This video is a compilation by Boston Children's Hospital of children
affected with celiac disease, and what they have to say about their
experience with it.
(Boston Children's Hospital)
What is Celiac Disease? - Celiac Disease Foundation.
(n.d.). Celiac Disease Foundation. Retrieved June 3, 2014, from http://celiac.org/celiac-disease/what-is-celiac-disease/
Celiac disease. (n.d.). Retrieved June 3, 2014, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/celiac-disease/basics/definition/con-20030410
Symptoms. (n.d.). University of Chicago Celiac Disease
Center. Retrieved June 3, 2014, from
http://www.cureceliacdisease.org/medical-professionals/guide/symptoms
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