Article Trunk



Celiac Disease: Symptoms and Treatmen

01.08.2012 · Posted in Health Care Articles

A recent study has revealed that celiac disease is four times more common now than it was in the 1950’s. One theory for its increasing prevalence is that our modern obsession with ensuring a germ-free environment is producing more allergies, asthma and abnormal reactions of the immune system. As the disease is triggered by gluten, there could also be a cause in changing patterns of consumption and/or the modern processing of foods containing gluten.rnrnWhat exactly is celiac disease? It is genetic and can be diagnosed by blood test. Also known as celiac sprue it is a hyper-sensitivity to gluten; if gluten is eaten the small intestine is damaged by the immune system and essential nutrients are not absorbed into the body.rnrnSYMPTOMSrnThe disease can manifest at different times of life, each with different symptoms:rnA small baby will fail to thrive; there will be diarrhea with abdominal pain.rnThe young child may complain of stomach pain; there will commonly be diarrhea, poor appetite, and general irritability. There could be a skin rash.rnThe older child with undiagnosed celiac disease will appear thin and undernourished but with an enlarged stomach.rnA teenager will be small for his/her age and puberty may be delayed.rnAll celiac disease sufferers will experience problems in digesting dairy products and milk [lactose intolerance].rnFairly common in patients is an itchy skin with blisters [dermatitis herpetiformis].rnAdults who become ill with celiac disease start to feel generally unwell with feelings of fatigue, irritability and depression. There may be calcium loss from the bones which could lead to osteoporosis; about 5% of adults develop anemia.rnrnDIAGNOSISrnOne way of diagnosing suspected celiac disease is for the patient to follow a gluten-free diet and observe if symptoms disappear.rnDermatitis herpetiformis, a blistery rash, is a sign of the presence of celiac disease. rnAnalysis of the blood can lead to a diagnosis.rnConfirmation may be obtained from a biopsy of the intestines.rnrnTREATMENTrnNo cure exists for celiac disease but although it is serious it is treatable and treatment should begin immediately. No surgery or medication is required. rnThe only effective treatment is the elimination of gluten from the diet – for life.rnSome individuals with celiac disease can tolerate small amounts of gluten without experiencing symptoms. Others will develop severe diarrhea from eating a very tiny amount of gluten. Complete avoidance of gluten is the only sure way to treat celiac disease.rnAvoid foods containing wheat, rye and barley – such as breads, cereals, biscuits and pasta.rnAvoid foods containing oats.rnBe aware of common foods containing gluten, such as ice cream, yoghurt, mustard, salad cream/dressings, canned meats, canned soups, sausages and ketchup.rnWheat starch is a commonly found binding agent used in capsules.rnrnIt will be necessary for the celiac disease patient to consult a dietician for precise advice regarding foods containing gluten. Difficulties with absorption of nutrients may mean that the patient develops deficiencies which need treatment with vitamin and mineral supplements.rnrnA gluten-free diet can bring swift improvement in symptoms, especially in children, but if little or no improvement occurs then further investigation may reveal some other co-existing condition or a complication of celiac disease.

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.