Do you have Celiac Disease? Here's how to find out for sure! (Celiac Disease)

Do you often have stomach pain, bloating, or a feeling of being bloated no matter how much you eat? You may think this is normal, or that it's because the food you're eating is too spicy. But these symptoms could be a sign of a condition that many people don't know about, but that can be completely controlled if identified correctly. Today we're talking about it, Celiac Disease, which many people have never heard of. In fact, researchers say that only one in five people with this disease know that they have it. That's why it's so important to be aware of it.

Simply put, what is Celiac Disease?

To put it simply, it's a problem with our immune system. When we eat foods made from grains like wheat and barley (bread, buns, noodles, cakes), our immune system starts fighting against the protein called gluten in them. This fight damages our own small intestine. Over time, this damage causes our body to become unable to absorb the nutrients it needs. This is what we call Celiac Disease. This is not a typical food allergy, but a more complex condition.

Diagnosis: How do we know for sure?

The symptoms of this disease can vary greatly from person to person. While some people experience symptoms such as stomach upset, bloating, and diarrhea, others may experience symptoms such as weight loss, joint pain, skin problems, or constant fatigue. Since these symptoms do not start all at once, it can sometimes take years to recognize the disease.

But if you think you have these symptoms, pay special attention to these things:

• Family history: If someone in your family (mother, father, brother, sister, child) has Celiac Disease, you are at risk for developing the disease too. Therefore, it is wise to talk to your doctor and get the necessary tests done.
• Other medical conditions: If you have other autoimmune diseases, such as Type 1 Diabetes, autoimmune liver disease, or thyroid disease, it is very important to be tested for Celiac Disease.

Extremely important: Do not stop eating gluten before the tests!

This is a big mistake that many people make. They think they might have Celiac Disease and stop eating gluten-containing foods (like bread and roti) before seeing a doctor. Please don't do that.

The reason is that for the tests to be accurate, you need to have gluten in your body. If you stop eating gluten, the tests may not detect the disease. Then you may get an incorrect diagnosis.

If you've already switched to a gluten-free diet, your doctor will likely ask you to do a "gluten challenge." This means that you will have to eat a certain amount of gluten-containing foods (for example, four slices of bread a day) every day for several weeks (usually about 8 weeks) before the tests. This can be a bit difficult, but it's essential to getting an accurate diagnosis.

What are these tests?

There are several main types of tests to diagnose Celiac Disease. The first are blood and genetic tests.

Blood and Genetic Tests

These are preliminary tests. The results of these will determine what to do next.

• Blood Test: This tests for certain types of antibodies in your blood. When someone with Celiac Disease eats gluten, their body produces these antibodies. So if the level of these antibodies in the blood is much higher than normal, it is a strong indication that you may have Celiac Disease.
• Genetic Test: This tests your genes for the HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 genes. If you don't have these genes, you are very unlikely to have Celiac Disease. This test can be done using a blood sample, a saliva sample, or a swab of cells from the inside of your mouth.

But remember, these tests alone cannot confirm 100% that you have Celiac Disease. If these tests raise suspicion about the disease, the next most important test to do is an endoscopy.

Endoscopy to confirm the disease

Some people may be scared when they hear this name, but it's not that scary. This is the test that is used to definitively confirm whether or not you have Celiac Disease.

This involves inserting a thin, flexible tube (scope) with a small camera attached through your mouth and down your esophagus into your small intestine. This allows your doctor to see if there is any damage to the inner lining of your small intestine.

At this time, the doctor takes a very small piece of tissue from the wall of the small intestine. This is called a biopsy . This piece of tissue is then sent to a laboratory and examined under a microscope.

What is being looked for in a biopsy?

The inner wall of our healthy small intestine has millions of tiny finger-like projections called villi . They are like fibers in a thick carpet. Their main function is to absorb nutrients from the food we eat.

In someone with Celiac Disease, these villi are damaged and flattened. A biopsy will check to see if your villi have been damaged in this way. If they have been damaged, that is the strongest evidence that you have Celiac Disease.

This endoscopy takes about 15 minutes. And the doctor does everything he can to ensure that you don't feel uncomfortable during this procedure.