Celiac Disease: The Silent Threat in Your Gut – Symptoms & Treatment Explained!

Celiac Disease Overview: Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder where the body mistakenly attacks its own intestines in response to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye.

Common Symptoms: The most common symptoms include persistent diarrhea, fatigue, abdominal pain, bloating, and weight loss. Some people may also experience alternating diarrhea and constipation.

Associated Deficiencies: Celiac disease can lead to deficiencies in iron, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, and folate, causing conditions like anemia, osteoporosis, and neuropathy.

Dermatitis Herpetiformis: This itchy, blistering skin rash is a hallmark of celiac disease and often appears on the elbows, buttocks, and knees.

Celiac Disease in Children: In children, symptoms often include chronic diarrhea, failure to thrive, abdominal distension, and irritability.

Genetic Predisposition: The presence of HLA-DQ2 or HLA-DQ8 genes significantly increases the risk of developing celiac disease.

Diagnosis: The gold standard for diagnosing celiac disease is an endoscopy with biopsy of the small intestine, but blood tests like the transglutaminase antibody test (tTG-IgA) and Endomysial Antibodies (EMA-IgA) are commonly used.

Gluten-Free Diet: The primary treatment for celiac disease is a strict, lifelong gluten-free diet, which allows the intestines to heal and prevents further damage.

Gluten-Free Foods: Naturally gluten-free foods include rice, quinoa, potatoes, corn, buckwheat, amaranth, beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, fresh vegetables, fruits, and unprocessed meat and fish.

Complications of Untreated Celiac Disease: If left untreated, celiac disease can lead to serious complications, including osteoporosis, infertility, neurological deficiencies, and an increased risk of small bowel cancer.

Impact on Quality of Life: With proper diagnosis and adherence to a gluten-free diet, most people with celiac disease can manage their condition effectively and live a normal lifespan.

Refractory Celiac Disease: A small percentage of patients may develop refractory celiac disease, where symptoms persist despite a strict gluten-free diet, requiring additional treatments like immunosuppressants.

Introduction of Gluten in Infants: The optimal age for introducing gluten to infants is around 4 to 6 months, ideally while the child is still being breastfed to reduce the risk of celiac disease.

Non-Specific Symptoms: Many people with celiac disease experience non-specific and vague symptoms, leading to delayed diagnosis, often after the age of 30.

Monitoring and Management: Periodic testing for celiac antibodies can help assess ongoing gluten exposure, and supplements for vitamins and minerals may be necessary to address deficiencies.

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By Laboratoires Servier - Smart Servier website: Images related to Osteoporosis, Bone structure and Bones -- Download in Powerpoint format.Flickr: Images related to Osteoporosis, Bone structure and Bones (in French)., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
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By Weinstock, Leonard & myers, trisha & Steinhoff, Martin & smith, jill - Weinstock, Leonard & myers, trisha & Steinhoff, Martin & smith, jill. (2017). Successful treatment of adult-onset dermatitis herpetiformis with low dose naltrexone. Open Jounal of Clinical and Medical Case Reports."All Published work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License", CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
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Disclaimer:

This information is provided for general knowledge and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with your doctor for any questions or concerns you may have about your health.