Do you also get stomach upset after eating certain foods? It could be Celiac Disease!

Have you ever eaten a piece of bread, a pizza, or something like cornflakes for breakfast? If so, there is a good chance that you have eaten something with gluten . However, not everyone is sensitive to gluten. For some, it can cause various problems, such as stomach upset. Today we are going to talk about a specific disease caused by gluten.

What is Gluten?

Simply put, gluten is a type of protein . It is found mostly in grains like wheat, rye, and barley. So, many of the foods we eat every day, such as bread, pasta, cakes, biscuits, and noodles, contain gluten. Most of us don't have any problems eating foods containing gluten. But for some people, when gluten is ingested, it causes a reaction in their bodies. That's what we call Celiac Disease, a condition that occurs in people who are sensitive to gluten.

What happens to gluten in someone with Celiac Disease?

To understand this, we first need to know a little about our digestive system. When we eat food, it first goes into the stomach. Then it gradually moves to the small intestine. This small intestine plays a very important role in digestion. Imagine that inside your small intestine, like the fibers in a small carpet, there are millions of tiny finger-shaped parts. In medicine, these are called villi . These are so small that we cannot see them with the naked eye unless we look at them through a microscope. However, even though they are small, these villi are the ones that absorb the nutrients in the food we eat – that is, vitamins, minerals, proteins, etc. Now, when someone with Celiac Disease eats a food containing gluten – think of something like a piece of bread – their immune system sees this gluten as an enemy. Normally, our immune system protects us from disease. But in Celiac Disease, this immune system attacks and damages the villi in the small intestine. It's like hitting the wrong spot.

When these villi are damaged, the body cannot absorb the nutrients it needs. Then, no matter how much food it eats, the body does not get enough nutrition. This is why people with Celiac Disease experience stunted growth , weight loss, and constant fatigue. Sometimes, iron is not absorbed properly, leading to anemia (Conditions like anemia can even occur.

Why does Celiac Disease occur?

The exact cause of Celiac Disease is not yet known. However, it is believed to be genetic and also influenced by environmental factors . This means that if someone in your family has the disease, you are more likely to develop it. The sad thing is, many people do not know that they have Celiac Disease. It is possible that even in Sri Lanka, there may be a large number of undiagnosed celiac patients. If properly diagnosed, this disease could be more common than diseases such as Type 1 Diabetes.

What are the symptoms of Celiac Disease?

The symptoms of Celiac Disease can vary from person to person. The time it takes for symptoms to appear also varies. The most common symptoms are:

• Frequent diarrhea : You may need to go to the bathroom several times a day.
• Anorexia : The feeling of not wanting to eat.
• Stomach pain and bloating : A feeling like your stomach is full of gas .
• Growth failure: Especially in young children, there may be a failure to grow tall or gain weight.
• Weight loss: Becoming thin despite eating well.

Most often, these symptoms appear in young children between 6 months and 2 years of age, when they first start eating foods containing gluten (e.g., cereal, bread). But for some people, symptoms come on very gradually. Symptoms can be severe some weeks, and then completely gone the next week. This is why some people don't know they have celiac disease until they are adults. It is a chronic disease. This means that although symptoms come and go, the disease is present throughout life. Some other symptoms include:

• Constant tiredness and sleepiness.
• Irritability, irritability.
• Some people may also develop skin rashes and mouth sores.

Sometimes these symptoms can be mistaken for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or lactose intolerance.It can also be confused with other digestive system diseases, such as. Surprisingly, some children may have no symptoms at all, but then suddenly develop symptoms during a time of great stress, such as an upcoming exam or an accident.

How do you know for sure if this is Celiac Disease?

If you or your child has any of the symptoms mentioned above, such as frequent stomach upset, diarrhea, or weight loss, you should definitely see a doctor . It may or may not be Celiac Disease. But a doctor can check it for sure. Usually, the first thing to do is a screening blood test . This can help determine if you have Celiac Disease to some extent. If these blood tests suggest that you may have Celiac Disease, you will often be referred to a gastroenterologist . This specialist may decide to take a small piece of tissue (biopsy) from the small intestine and examine it under a microscope. We call this a biopsy . This is done to see exactly whether the villi in the small intestine are damaged. If you are having a biopsy, the doctor will give you the necessary medication to make sure you don't feel any discomfort. So there is nothing to worry about.

What are the treatments for Celiac Disease?

The good news is that there are treatments for Celiac Disease. But the only cure is to completely stop eating foods that contain gluten . That is, to follow a gluten-free diet . This can be a little difficult at first. Because gluten can be found in foods that we don't think about. But you can talk to a dietitian and get advice on how to eliminate gluten from your diet.

Very important: Do not stop eating gluten-containing foods on your own without a doctor's diagnosis . Doing so may make it more difficult to diagnose the condition later.

When you follow a gluten-free diet, the damaged villi in your small intestine gradually begin to heal. But that doesn't mean you can eat gluten again. For someone with Celiac Disease, gluten is a permanent problem .. If you eat gluten again, those stomach problems, like diarrhea, start to come back. When you find out you have Celiac Disease, it can be a challenge at first to figure out which foods contain gluten and which don't. You won't be able to remember everything at once. But you can make a list and keep it handy. When you buy food at the store or go to a restaurant, ask if the food contains gluten. Over time, you will get good at this.

Let's learn about gluten-free foods and cross-contamination.

Now a quick question: Which of these foods contain gluten?

• Pizza
• Fried chicken
• Pasta

If you said all three, you're right! It's easy to assume that pizza contains gluten because of the flour. But did you know that things like fried chicken made with batter, and sometimes French fries, can also contain gluten? Pasta is also made with wheat, so it also contains gluten. But don't worry! Fortunately, there are now many gluten-free pizza doughs, gluten-free batters, and gluten-free pastas on the market. In fact, many of the foods we eat can be made gluten-free. You need to be careful not only about foods that contain gluten, but also about something else. That's what "cross-contamination" is. Simply put, gluten gets added to a gluten-free food from a gluten-containing food, or from equipment contaminated with gluten. Imagine, if you put a slice of your gluten-free bread in the same toaster that you use to bake bread at home, the crumbs from the previously toasted regular bread can get on it too, right? Or, if you cut regular bread with the same knife, on the same board, and then cut gluten-free bread? What if crumbs from regular bread get on butter, jam? That's what cross-contamination is all about.

If you have Celiac Disease, you may need to use a separate toaster, cutting boards, and knives. It's also a good idea to keep separate containers for things like butter and jam. This can also happen when making certain foods. So, you can help your mom or dad choose foods that are labeled "certified gluten-free." For example, there are now even gluten-free oats made specifically for people with Celiac Disease.

The best thing to do is to read food labels carefully.. Food labels may state that they are "wheat-free." However, not all foods that are labeled "wheat-free" are "gluten-free." Even if they are wheat-free, they may still contain other grains that contain gluten, such as barley and rye.

Finally, remember this!

Getting used to a gluten-free diet can be a little difficult at first. But over time, you will understand what foods are good for you and what are not. Then it will be easier to find a safe meal or snack. Remember, you are not the only one with these dietary issues. Many people live this way. If you need more information, there are websites like "Beyond Celiac" on the Internet.

The most important thing is to seek medical advice if you suspect you have Celiac Disease. By getting a proper diagnosis and receiving the necessary treatment, you can live a healthy, comfortable life.

Don't worry, this is a manageable condition. Stay strong! Celiac disease, gluten, gluten-free, food allergies, stomach upset, nutrition, small intestine