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Celiac disease (CD) is triggered by eating types of protein fractions called gluten. Gluten is in wheat, barley, rye and possibly oats, though this is subject to debate.
Celiac disease is also known as celiac sprue, nontropical sprue and gluten-sensitive enteropathy.
An autoimmune response damages the small intestine. Villi, or tiny finger-like protrusions lining the small intestine, are damaged or destroyed.
The villi's primary role is to aid in the absorption of nutrients. Once they don't work, no matter how much or how well the individual eats, malnutrition can result.
About 1 percent of the population may have celiac disease. CD is thought to be underdiagnosed.
People can have CD and not know it. They may show no symptoms.
They may have classic symptomatic celiac involving diarrhea, failure to thrive, malnutrition and weight loss. They may have non-traditional CD, which involves depression and osteoporosis.
The potential for celiac disease is inherited, though it doesn't necessarily appear in childhood. An asymptomatic past doesn't eliminate the possibility of CD emerging later.
Blood tests and intestinal biopsy are useful in detecting CD.
Celiac disease can be activated by a stressor like childbirth, pregnancy, surgery or viral infection. Some symptoms of celiac disease are abdominal bloating and pain, chronic diarrhea, constipation, vomiting or weight loss.
In children, celiac disease can cause failure to thrive, delayed growth, delayed puberty and dental problems.
Adults with celiac disease may experience anxiety, arthritis, bone loss or osteoporosis, bone or joint pain, canker sores, depression and fatigue. They may have tingling or numbness in hands or feet, menstrual disorders, infertility or miscarriage, skin rash called dermatitis herpetiformis, or seizures.
Autoimmune disorders like autoimmune liver disease, thyroid disease, Addison's disease and type-1 diabetes may indicate CD. Chronic celiac disease can cause liver disease and cancer of the intestine.
Celiac disease may be confused with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal infections, iron-deficiency anemia and irritable bowel syndrome.
The only known treatment for celiac disease is avoidance of gluten. Fortunately avoidance will do the trick.
A gluten-free diet is challenging but doable. Avoiding wheat, barley and rye means avoiding most breads, cereals and pasta, and many processed foods. Read ingredients carefully as gluten shows up in unexpected places.
Flours made from amaranth, arrowroot, buckwheat, cassava, corn, flax, Indian rice grass, millet, nuts, potatoes, quinoa, rice, sorghum, tapioca, wild rice and yucca are safe for the person with celiac disease.
Resources:
What is Celiac Disease?
http://www.celiac.com/articles/572/1/A-Summary-of-Celiac-Disease-and-Gluten-Intolerance-by-Scott-Adams/Page1.html
Celiac Disease Diagnoses On the Rise
http://www.celiac.com/articles/22252/1/Celiac-Disease-Diagnoses-On-the-Rise/Page1.html
Celiac Disease Defined
http://www.csaceliacs.org/celiac_defined.php
Celiac Disease: Gluten A Poison?
http://colitis.pro/celiac-disease-gluten-a-poison
Visit Jody's website and blog at http://www.ncubator.ca and http://ncubator.ca/blogger
Add a Comment5 Comments
Although celiac disease is a gluten allergy, it is only one form of gluten allergy. Many react to gluten and may have elevated serum antigliadin antibodies, but they do not have damage to the small intestine. These people have a negative biopsy of the small intestine, as well as negative antiendomysial antibody and tissue transglutaminase tests.
August 22, 2010 - 11:47pmceliac disease symptoms
This Comment
Dr. Osborne - Thanks for the information. It sounds like the organization is doing a lot to help people, and we wish you well. I would like to personally invite you, and your members, to consider joining our new Celiac Diet and Lifestyle Group, which can be found at https://www.empowher.com/groups/celiac-diet-and-lifestyle
August 20, 2010 - 5:48pmWhile it was set up for those with Celiac Disease, you've helped me realize that it needs to be broader and there are additional reasons why people would choose a gluten-free diet. I hope you'll take a look as I think you could contribute a lot to the discussions.
Thanks,
Pat
EmpowHER Moderator
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Clarification should be made between celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. Celiac disease is only one of many manifestations of gluten sensitivity. This video does an excellent job explaining the differences.
http://www.glutenfreesociety.org/video-tutorial/gluten-sensitivity-what-is-it/
All the best,
August 17, 2010 - 5:16amDr. Peter Osborne
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Dr. Osborne - Thanks for your comment, and for sharing the video. Can you tell us more about the Gluten Free Society? The website notes that it educates both patients and doctors, and seems to provide a lot of very helpful information. Do you recommend the organization to your patients? Is this a non-profit support group, or a business? We'd like to know more about the society.
August 18, 2010 - 6:38pmThanks,
Pat
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Hi Pat,
August 20, 2010 - 4:15amGluten Free Society is a privately owned membership organization. I work with them to help spread the word about the dangers of gluten in the diet. It is the only website to my knowledge that promotes healthy gluten free eating without all of the packaged processed substitute foods. The site offers daily articles, expert interviews, an interactive forum, and more. Currently, there is a paid membership section of the site with more than 10 hours of video tutorials on going gluten free. This section of the site costs a one time registration of $69 (use special code "osborne" for a substantial discount) and $12.99 per month thereafter. A portion of all proceeds are donated to research funding.
The group funds educational lectures to physicians on the topic.
Gluten Free Society also hosts free quarterly meetings in Houston, TX to the general public. More locations will be coming this year and early next year. Dates and locations to be announced.
Thanks for your interest. If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask.
All the best,
Dr. Osborne
This Comment