Celiac disease is a disease of the digestive system that alters the intestine and disrupts nutrient absorption. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC), those suffering from celiac disease cannot tolerate the gluten, a protein in found in wheat, rye and barley. The cause of celiac disease is unknown but there are several factors that may contribute to the development of the disease.
Autoimmune Condition
The immune system is designed to protect the body from disease. When a person with celiac disease ingests gluten, the body forms antibodies that attack the intestinal lining. According to Medline, the lining of the intestine contains villi, hairlike substances, which help absorb nutrients. Once the villi are damaged, the body cannot absorb nutrients properly. This results in malnourishment. Following a gluten-free diet can alleviate symptoms of celiac disease and allow the villi to heal.
Inherited Genes
The NDDIC states that once a rare childhood syndrome, celiac disease affects over two million people worldwide and 1 in 133 people in the United States.According to the Mayo Clinic, celiac disease is often inherited. If a person in your family suffers from celiac disease, your chance of developing it are 5 to 15 percent. A genetic connection may exist between celiac disease and other autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes, autoimmune rheumatoid disease, autoimmune thyroid disease, Sjögren’s syndrome and Addison's disease.
Trauma
Although celiac disease is typically inherited, symptoms of the disease may not appear until later in life. Various illnesses may cause celiac disease to occur. According to the Mayo Clinic, many times the disease arises after after some form of trauma: an infection, a physical injury, the stress of pregnancy, severe stress or surgery. It remains unknown why such traumatic events may result in the onset of celiac disease.
