Do you experience bloating, stomach cramps, and diarrhea after eating foods made from wheat flour, such as bread, roti, or noodles? You may think that this is normal. But if this happens frequently, it could be because your body is unable to digest the protein called 'gluten' found in those flours. Today, we are talking about one such condition, 'Celiac Disease'.
Simply put, what is Celiac Disease?
Celiac disease is a disorder of your body's immune system. Medically, we call it an autoimmune disorder . What happens is that when a protein called gluten , found in grains like wheat and barley, enters your body, your body's immune system mistakenly attacks it.
Think of it this way: our immune system is like an army defending a country. Normally, this army attacks enemies like viruses and bacteria that enter the body. But when gluten enters the body of someone with celiac disease, this army mistakes gluten for an enemy.
This battle takes a lot of damage. The walls of our small intestine have millions of tiny finger-like projections. We call these villi . These villi help our bodies absorb the nutrients in the food we eat. When the immune system is triggered by gluten, it attacks these villi. This damages them and prevents the body from absorbing nutrients from food properly. Over time, this can lead to malnutrition and many other complications.
The important thing is that celiac disease is not a gluten allergy or gluten intolerance. These are three different conditions. Celiac disease causes damage to the small intestine, while the other two conditions do not.
What are the symptoms of celiac disease?
The symptoms of this disease can vary greatly from person to person. Some people may not show any symptoms, but their intestines may be damaged from within. But there are some common symptoms that can be seen. Let's look at these separately.
| Characteristics category | Visible features |
|---|---|
| Digestive system symptoms (adults) |
|
| Other symptoms caused by nutritional deficiencies (adults) | |
| Specific features for young children |
Celiac Rash
About one in four people with celiac disease will develop a severely itchy, blistering rash. We call this dermatitis herpetiformis . It's most common in:
- Elbows
- Knees
- Buttock area
- Skull
- Lower back
What are the causes and risk factors for developing this disease?
The exact cause of celiac disease has not been found, but it is believed that two main factors play a role.
1. Genetic influence: This disease is often hereditary. If someone in your family (parents, siblings) has this disease, you have about a 10% risk of developing it too.
2. Environmental Triggers: Even if the genes are present, a trigger may be required for the disease to develop. For example, a severe viral infection, surgery, pregnancy, or major psychological trauma can trigger the disease.
Additionally, people with certain other medical conditions are at higher risk of developing celiac disease.
- Type 1 diabetes
- Thyroid disease (Hashimoto's thyroiditis)
- Down syndrome
- Rheumatoid arthritis
How to diagnose the disease?
When you talk to your doctor about your symptoms, if he or she suspects something, he or she will refer you for several tests.
Important: If you suspect you have celiac disease, do not stop eating gluten-containing foods until your doctor tells you to. This is because if you start restricting your diet, the test results may be incorrect.
There are two main types of tests:
- Blood tests: This is the first test that will be done to check for antibodies that your body produces against gluten.
- Endoscopy and Biopsy: If blood tests suggest a diagnosis, this test is done to confirm the diagnosis. In this test, a thin tube with a camera attached to it is inserted through the mouth and the small intestine is examined. At the same time, a very small piece of tissue (biopsy) is taken from the intestinal wall and examined under a microscope to see if the villi are damaged.
How is it treated? Do I have to give up gluten for life?
Yes. The only and best treatment for celiac disease is to completely avoid foods containing gluten for life. We call this a gluten-free diet . There are no medications for this.
After a few weeks of cutting out gluten, your symptoms will start to improve and you will start to feel better. The damaged lining of your small intestine will also start to heal.
| Things to avoid completely | Edible things |
|---|---|
|
Read the labels of processed foods you buy from the store carefully. It is very important to choose products that are labeled "Gluten-Free."
Sometimes, doctors can prescribe vitamin and mineral supplements if there are nutritional deficiencies.
What happens if left untreated?
If celiac disease is not properly treated and you continue to eat foods containing gluten, serious complications can develop over time.
- Severe malnutrition and anemia
- Osteoporosis
- Infertility and miscarriages
- Occurrence of other autoimmune diseases
- Very rarely, there is also a risk of developing intestinal cancers.
Therefore, it is very important to seek medical advice if you have symptoms and, if the disease is confirmed, to follow a proper diet.
Take-Home Message
- Celiac disease is an abnormal response of the body's immune system to the protein gluten.
- This damages the small intestine and impairs the absorption of nutrients from food.
- Stomach upset, diarrhea, weight loss, skin rash, and fatigue are common symptoms.
- The only treatment for this disease is to follow a gluten-free diet for life.
- If you have these symptoms, do not make decisions on your own and definitely see your doctor for advice.
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