Coeliac disease affects the small intestine - the part of the digestive system responsible for absorbing nutrients from the diet. Even tiny amounts of gluten can cause harm. When people with celiac disease eat foods or use products containing gluten, their immune system responds by damaging the small intestine. People who have celiac disease cannot tolerate a protein called gluten, found in wheat, rye, and barley. Called villi, they normally allow nutrients from food to be absorbed into the bloodstream. Without healthy villi, a person becomes malnourished, regardless of the quantity of food eaten. Celiac disease is also known as celiac sprue, nontropical sprue, and gluten-sensitive enteropathy. Symptoms vary and may or may not occur in the digestive system. They may include diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, irritability, and depression, among others. Irritability is one of the most common symptoms among children. Celiac disease is a genetic disease, meaning it runs in families. Sometimes the disease is triggered-or becomes active for the first time-after surgery, pregnancy, childbirth, viral infection, or severe emotional stress. Malnutrition, osteoporosis, depression and infertility are just some of the problems that can develop if the disorder is left untreated. Depending on the individual, coeliac disease symptoms can be severe, moderate or mild, or the person may be asymptomatic (symptom free). Many people with coeliac disease don't know they have the condition.

Coeliac disease is a condition that affects the small bowel, caused by an abnormal immune response, or sensitivity, to a dietary protein known as gluten. When the lining of the small intestine is damaged, nutrients like calcium, iron, folic acid and fat-soluble vitamins are poorly absorbed. In some people these proteins cause damage to the tiny projections - or villi - that line the small intestine. Sugars, proteins and fats may be poorly absorbed too.Until recently, celiac disease was considered uncommon in the United States. However, recent studies suggest that the disease may be underdiagnosed and that as many as one in every 133 Americans could have the disease. In some cases, a diagnosis of celiac disease is missed because the symptoms are so varied and may only flare up occasionally. This renders them unable to absorb food properly, and can lead to diarrhoea and malnutrition. These proteins damage the small finger-like projections (villi) that line the small intestine and play a significant role in digestion. When damaged and inflamed, the villi are unable to absorb food properly, which often causes diarrhoea and malnutrition.

Causes of Coeliac Disease

The common Causes of Coeliac Disease :

The exact cause of coeliac disease is unknown.
Severe stress, physical injury, infection, pregnancy, childbirth or surgery may lead to symptoms developing.
Sensitivity to gluten is the cause of coeliac disease and this often runs in families, suggesting a genetic link.

Symptoms of Coeliac Disease

Some Symptoms of Coeliac Disease :

Muscle cramps
Seizures
Fatigue
Failure to thrive in infants
Bone or joint pain
Chronic diarrhea
Recurring abdominal bloating and pain
Pale, foul-smelling, or fatty stool
Behavioral changes

Treatment of Coeliac Disease

A blood test can now help doctors to tell if somebody is likely to have the condition.
Treatment consists of restricting gluten in the diet.
The only effective treatment of Coeliac disease is strict lifelong complete avoidance of Gluten found in cereals such as Wheat, Rye and Barley (many tolerate Oats).
However, the only way to confirm a diagnosis is to remove a small piece of tissue from the intestine for analysis in the laboratory.
You may also be advised to take some vitamin and calcium and iron supplements at least for the first six months following diagnosis. This is to replace any deficiencies, and to make sure you get enough of these whilst the gut lining is returning to normal.

Bowel & Stomach Diseases

Appendicitis
Barett's Oesophagus
Coeliac Disease
Crohn's Disease

Heart Problems

Angina
Aortic Aneurysm
Aortic Regurgitation
Aortic Stenosis
Arrhythmias
Atrial Fibrillation

Infectious Diseases

Bacterial Vaginosis
Bird Flu
Boils
Cellulitis
Chicken Pox
Cystitis

Skin Disorders

Acne
Alopecia Areata
Baldness

Women Diseases

Abnormal Periods
Atropic Vaginitis
Breast Cancer
Breast Pain
Cervical Cancer

Liver & Kidney Diseases

Cholecystitis
Cirrhosis
Fatty Liver Disease
Kidney Cancer
Liver Cancer

Mental Health

Anorexia Nervosa
Bipolar Affective Disorder
Bulimia Nervosa
Dementia
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Schizophrenia

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