Celiac disease is a digestive disorder characterized by a severe allergy to the protein gluten, which is found in wheat, barely, oats and rye. If you have celiac disease, ingesting gluten can lead to malabsorption of food nutrients as well as a range of symptoms. At least 3 million Americans have celiac disease, and it is most commonly observed in Caucasians, especially those of Eastern European ancestries, according to the Celiac Disease Center at the University of Chicago.
Cause
Celiac disease, a hereditary disorder, can occur at any age, but the exact cause remains elusive. Within the intestine, small hair-like projections called villi aid in the absorption of nutrients from food. If you are a celiac sufferer, consumption of glutenous products evokes an immune reaction that attacks and destroys the villi. Without healthy villi, your intestine cannot extract and absorb nutrients from food no matter the quantity of food you consume, according to Medline Plus.
Signs and Symptoms
Signs and symptoms vary and can appear in the digestive system or other parts of the body. Symptoms may include chronic diarrhea; pale, foul-smelling or fatty stool; weight-loss; vomiting or abdominal bloating and pain, fatigue, arthritis, bone pain, unexplained iron deficiency anemia, seizures, tingling or numbness in the hands and feet, depression or anxiety, canker sores inside the mouth, and an itchy skin rash called dermatitis herpetiformis. Symptoms specific to children include irritability, delayed growth and puberty, or dental issues, according to Medline Plus.
Tests
Celiac disease mimics other disorders such as diverticulitis, anemia, chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease; therefore, the condition can go undiagnosed for years. Blood tests available to test for celiac disease measure for high levels of anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies (tTGA) and anti-endomysium antibodies (EMA), two antibodies produced in response to gluten consumption that cause intestinal villi destruction. If you suspect that you have celiac disease, physicians recommend that you continue to eat gluten products until the necessary blood tests have been drawn. Cessation of gluten consumption can result in a false-negative test despite the presence of celiac disease. If you have a positive blood test for celiac disease, diagnosis will follow with an intestinal biopsy, to assess villi damage and to confirm the presence of the disease, says the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse.
Treatment and Prognosis
A gluten-free diet, the only treatment for celiac disease, will stop your symptoms and will allow the intestine to heal within 3 to 6 months. Unfortunately, the disease remains incurable; therefore, you must follow a gluten-free diet for life and avoid all products that contain gluten. If your symptoms do not improve in response to a gluten-free diet, it may be possible that you are consuming small amounts of gluten unsuspectingly. Products such as preservatives, stabilizers and modified food starches may contain hidden gluten. Being aware of food additives that contain gluten is important, according to Medline Plus and the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse.
Complications
Celiac disease without symptoms is possible; however, prolonged exposure to gluten can lead to a few complications, including anemia, malnutrition, miscarriage, osteoporosis, liver disease and cancer of the intestine, the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse notes.
