In this blog, we will discuss about the causes, symptoms and treatment of Celiac Disease.
What is Celiac Disease?
Celiac disease is a hereditary autoimmune disorder that occurs when the protein gluten present in your digestive tract triggers your immune system to make antibodies against it. This causes damage to the mucosal lining of your intestine, which affects your ability to absorb nutrients from your food, leading to nutritional deficiencies.
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. Additionally, gluten often appears as an additive in food products where you might not expect it, such as sauces, soups, and packaged foods. Beer is also made from barley or rye.
How Does Celiac Disease Affect the Body?
Celiac disease affects your small intestine. This happens when the gluten present in your body triggers the immune system, which releases inflammatory cells and antibodies at the target site to destroy the gluten molecules. These cells are in your small intestine mucosa Damages the layer.
The mucosal layer has finger-shaped projections called villi that increase the surface area for absorption. But immune cells activated by celiac disease destroy and flatten these bulges, reducing the surface area.
What Are the Symptoms of Celiac Disease?
These diseases have no early symptoms, but some people experience indigestion and other gastrointestinal symptoms after eating gluten. In some people, only vague symptoms of nutritional deficiencies appear later, when actual damage has already been done. In these people, symptoms of anaemia may appear first.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms Include
- stomach pain.
- Bloating
- Fatty stools
- Diarrhea and constipation.
Symptoms of Iron Deficiency Anaemia
- head pain
- Weakness and fatigue.
- Pallor (yellowing of the complexion).
- Brittle nail
- Mouth ulcers
Symptoms of Malnutrition
- Unexplained weight loss
- Development delay in children (impaired growth & development)
- Low muscle tone
- Teeth that appear stained or translucent.
Irregular menstrual periods
Changes in mood i.e. irritability in children and depression in adults.
Diagnosis and Testing
How Do You Know if You Have Celiac Disease?
Your healthcare provider will first check for any GI infection. Many people have a sensitivity to gluten or wheat products in their diet due to food intolerances. To diagnose celiac disease, healthcare providers will look for evidence of this damage.
How Does the Health Service Investigate the Disease?
The first method is a blood test. In which a blood sample is taken and tested for antibodies. They will also check the damage. In which a tissue sample from your small intestine (biopsy) is examined under a microscope.
Management & Treatment
How Do You Treat Celiac Disease?
The only way to treat celiac disease is to avoid gluten. When you stop eating gluten, your small intestine will begin to heal and digestion will naturally become better. Maintain a strict gluten-free diet to avoid re-damaging your small intestine.
Additional Treatments Include
Gluten-free nutritional supplements to address any serious deficiencies.
DermatitisSpecific medications to treat herpetiformis, such as Dapsone.
Corticosteroids for severe inflammation (Corticosteroids) that are not responding quickly enough to the diet.
Ongoing follow-up care, including regular tests to make sure the disease is controlled.
How Long Does the Treatment Take to Work?
You will benefit immediately from following a gluten-free diet, but it may take several weeks to make up for your nutritional deficiencies and several months for your stomach to fully heal. This may take longer depending on the extent of the damage.
What Other Risk Factors Contribute?
People with conditions such as arthritis and autoimmune diseases. These diseases often share the same genes, and they also have a way of triggering each other. Like other autoimmune diseases, celiac disease is more common in people who are considered female at birth (AFAB). The ratio is at least 2:1.
You are more likely to have celiac disease if
- turner syndrome, Williams syndrome or Down syndromeDowns syndrome suffer from chromosomal disorders such as.
- Are white.
- A relative has this disease.
- Autoimmune diseases, such as Type 1 Diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, microscopic colitis(Microscopic Colitis) or Addison's disease
What Are the Possible Long-Term Complications of Celiac Disease
- Ricketts
- Osteomalacia
- osterporesis
- Enamel defects
- Peripheral neuropathy,
- muscle spasm and balance and coordination problems(ataxia)
- growth impairment
- Learning disabilities
How Do I Transition to a Gluten-Free Diet?
Consult your healthcare provider for a strict gluten-free diet, they will refer you to a registered dietitian to get started. There are also many dedicated support groups and references online.
Which Foods Can Trigger Celiac Disease?
Gluten is found naturally in some grains and grain products, including:
Wheat (Khorasan wheat, couscous)
Barley (and malt made from barley).
These grains are used to make the following:
- Bread and baked goods.
- Hot and cold cereals.
- Noodles and pasta.
- Beer, lager and ale.
- Malted liquor.
- Malt Vinegar.
A Note From Ganesh Diagnostic
Early diagnosis of celiac disease is essential for a healthy and strong gut because eating gluten causes gradual damage to your small intestine. You may have had strange and uncomfortable symptoms for years without knowing the cause. Choose the best diagnostic centre and improve your health.
