What Is Celiac Disease?
Celiac disease (also known as celiac sprue or gluten intolerance) is a digestive disorder that damages the small intestine. This damage interferes with the absorption of nutrients from food. People with celiac disease cannot tolerate gluten, a protein found mainly in wheat, rye and barley. It's also found in everyday products such as medicines, vitamins and lip balms.
When a person with celiac disease eats gluten, the immune system responds by attacking the lining of the small intestine and destroying villi -- tiny fingerlike protrusions lining the small intestine. Villi allow nutrients from food to be absorbed through the walls of the intestine and into the bloodstream.
Celiac Disease Statistics |
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Celiac disease affects approximately 3 million people in the United States. |
As many as 2 million Americans may have celiac disease but not know it. |
Up to 83 percent of cases are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. |
On average, it takes 4 to 10 years for the disease to be correctly diagnosed. |
Celiac disease has a genetic component. If a first-degree relative has celiac disease, the risk for celiac disease is 1 in 22. In the population as a whole, the risk is 1 in 133. |
Slightly more females than males suffer from celiac disease. |
Approximately 20 percent of patients are older than 60 years. |
Source: Pharmacy Times |
The Symptoms
The symptoms of celiac disease vary according to the age of the individual (Table 2). Most people have one or more symptoms. Chronic diarrhea is common, with up to 85 percent of patients experiencing it. Some people with celiac disease have no symptoms, but they can still develop complications from the disease over time. A person can have gluten sensitivity without the immune system attacking the small intestine. Symptoms of gluten sensitivity are generally milder than those seen in celiac disease, but the symptoms of gluten sensitivity improve with a gluten-free or gluten-restricted diet.
Celiac Disease Symptoms |
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Infants and Young Children |
-- -- Abdominal bloating and pain -- -- Chronic diarrhea -- -- Vomiting -- -- Constipation -- -- Pale, highly odorous or fatty stool -- -- Weight loss |
Adults |
-- -- Unexplained iron-deficiency anemia -- -- Fatigue, depression or anxiety -- -- Arthritis; bone or joint pain -- -- Bone loss or osteoporosis -- -- Tingling numbness in the hands and feet -- -- Seizures -- -- Missed menstrual periods -- -- Infertility or recurrent miscarriage -- -- Canker sores inside the mouth -- -- An itchy skin rash |
Source: Pharmacy Times |
Celiac disease is a serious disorder. Untreated, it can lead to a number of other disorders, including weight loss, anemia, osteoporosis, infertility/miscarriage, lactose intolerance, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, nervous system disorders, pancreatic disorders, cancer, diabetes, thyroid disease, liver disease, rheumatoid arthritis and damage to the glands that produce hormones, tears and saliva. Complications from celiac disease generally occur years after diagnosis.
[Read: Recognizing (and Preventing?) Celiac Disease in Children .]
Diagnosis
Early diagnosis of celiac disease is critical and may prevent complications later in life. Many symptoms of celiac disease are also associated with other intestinal disorders. Diagnosis is a two-step process. First, a blood sample is tested for celiac disease. If the blood test is positive for celiac disease, a small biopsy sample is taken from the small intestine. To obtain a piece of the small intestine, a long, thin tube is inserted through the patient's mouth and stomach and into the small intestine. A confirmed diagnosis is made when the blood test and the biopsy results are positive, and then a gluten-free diet alleviates symptoms.
[Read: Are Gluten-Free Cosmetics Necessary? ]
Treatment
Following a strict gluten-free diet is the only treatment for celiac disease. Even eating a tiny amount of gluten can damage the villi of the small intestine. A gluten-free diet helps reverse the damage caused by celiac disease. Complete avoidance of gluten can be difficult for patients to achieve and maintain. Flour, for example, is found in hundreds of products. With strict discipline, many people are able to achieve a gluten-free diet. A small percentage of patients with celiac disease fail to respond to a gluten-free diet. In these instances, prescription drugs may be used to treat some of the symptoms.
Living with Celiac Disease |
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Avoid products containing wheat, rye, barley or flour. Plain meat, fish, rice, fruits and vegetables do not contain gluten. People with celiac disease can freely eat these foods. When shopping for bread, pancakes or pastries, choose products that are made with alternative grains such as rice, buckwheat and tapioca. |
Less obvious foods that must be eliminated from the diet include breaded foods, beer, candies, communion breads, croutons, marinades, gravy, bouillon cubes, imitation fish, sauces, some salad dressings and self-basting turkeys. |
Read labels and ingredients. Look for products labeled "gluten free." More than 2,000 gluten-free products are available. |
Educate yourself. Buy books on celiac disease, including cookbooks with gluten-free recipes. Celiac Support Association has useful and easy-to-understand consumer information. |
When eating out, call ahead to determine whether the menu offers gluten-free meals. |
Meet with a registered dietitian who can help you make healthy substitutions for foods you are no longer able to eat. |
Be aware of hidden sources of gluten. These include food additives, preservatives and stabilizers that are made with wheat. Because many corn and rice products are produced in factories that also produce wheat products, corn and rice products can be contaminated with wheat gluten. |
Encourage your family members to be tested for celiac disease, as they have a higher risk of developing celiac disease. |
Ask your pharmacist if any of your medications contain gluten. If so, your pharmacist may recommend alternative medications. |
Source: Pharmacy Times |
[Read: Is a Gluten-Free Diet Smart for Weight Loss? ]
Final Thought
Consider joining a support group to learn how others cope with celiac disease and to exchange recipes. The Celiac Disease Foundation ( http://celiac.org/chapters) lists support groups located in each state.
Note: This article was originally published on July 11, 2014 on PharmacyTimes.com. It has been edited and republished by U.S. News. The original version, with references, can be seen here.
