Do you also get stomach upset after eating these foods? Let's talk about Celiac Disease!

Sometimes the food we eat doesn't suit our body, right? A little stomach ache, or some other minor discomfort, and it gets better on its own. But sometimes things like this can be a little more serious. Well, today we are going to talk about a condition that many people don't know about, but that needs to be taken care of. This is called Celiac Disease .

So, what is Celiac Disease?

Simply put, Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disorder . This means that our own immune system starts attacking parts of our own body. This happens when we eat foods that contain a protein called gluten . Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat , barley, and rye.

When someone with Celiac Disease eats something that contains gluten, their body thinks that gluten is a big enemy. Then the immune system starts to fight against it. As a result of this fight, the inner wall of our small intestine is damaged. Due to this damage, the body cannot absorb the nutrients it needs properly. Then, conditions like malnutrition can occur.

Doctors still don't know exactly why the immune system reacts to gluten this way. But if you have celiac disease, there are ways to manage your symptoms and prevent damage to your intestines. So there's nothing to worry about.

What are the symptoms of Celiac Disease?

Celiac disease is also known by other names, such as celiac sprue, gluten-sensitive enteropathy, and non-tropical sprue . However, the most common name used is celiac disease. Each person may experience a different set of symptoms. Some people may not have any symptoms at all. This is important to keep in mind.

See if these symptoms sound familiar to you:

• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Pale, foul-smelling stools
• Belly pain and bloating
• Weight loss
• Constant tiredness
• Headaches
• Painful skin rashes - especially around the elbows and knees

Think about it, some people have had problems eating gluten-containing foods since childhood. But others can have years of no problems and then suddenly develop symptoms. Therefore, these symptoms can appear at any age.

Why do we get Celiac Disease?

In Celiac Disease, when we eat gluten, our immune system damages the villi in our small intestine. These villi are like tiny finger-like structures on the inner wall of our small intestine. Their main function is to absorb nutrients from the food we eat and add them to our blood.

So, when these villi are damaged, our body cannot properly absorb important nutrients like vitamins and minerals.

The exact cause of Celiac Disease is not yet known, but it does tend to run in families . This means that if someone in your family has the disease, you are more likely to develop it.

How is Celiac Disease diagnosed?

The first step in diagnosing celiac disease is usually a blood test . This checks to see if you have antibodies against gluten and other proteins in the intestinal wall. Antibodies are special proteins that our immune system makes. They are made to recognize and destroy threats, such as germs, that enter the body.

If the blood test shows high levels of antibodies to gluten, your doctor will likely take a small piece of your small intestine for testing (a biopsy).

This biopsy is done like this: A doctor inserts a small tube-like instrument (called an endoscope ) through your mouth, through your stomach, into your small intestine, and takes a small piece of tissue for testing. You may be sedated or given general anesthesia during this procedure. This will ensure that you don't feel any discomfort.

If you are diagnosed with Celiac Disease, it is important to get your parents, siblings, and grandparents tested for it as well. They may also have the disease but may not show any symptoms. Celiac Disease can cause serious health problems if left undiagnosed for a long time in adulthood.

How is Celiac Disease treated?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for celiac disease. Researchers are working on new treatments, some of which have shown promising results. But the main treatment currently is a gluten-free diet . This allows your intestinal lining to heal and your symptoms to improve.

Changes in diet

If you have Celiac Disease, your doctor will tell you exactly what foods you can and cannot eat. Because these changes can have a big impact on your life, your doctor may also refer you to a dietitian . You can get more advice from them.

You will need to completely eliminate wheat, barley, rye, and related grains from your diet.

Not all countries have laws that require food labels to state whether or not they contain gluten, so it can sometimes be difficult to find gluten-free foods. In some countries (such as the United States), if a food contains one of the eight major food allergens (including wheat), it must be clearly labeled. However , even if it says 'wheat-free', it does not necessarily mean it is 'gluten-free'. This is because some wheat-free products may contain other grains that contain gluten, such as barley and rye.

So, before you buy any food, read the label carefully. You can find information about the types of foods you need to be careful of on places like the Celiac Disease Foundation website.

How to find safe options?

Here are some tips that I think will help you:

• First, think about the foods you can eat. Corn, rice, buckwheat, sorghum, arrowroot, garbanzo beans/chickpeas, quinoa, tapioca, teff, and potato flours are safe. You can also eat uncooked meat, fish, chicken, nuts, seeds, oils, milk, cheese, eggs, fruits, and vegetables.
• Be very careful about cross-contamination. Simply put, it is when a small piece of a gluten-containing food gets into a gluten-free food. Imagine, if you cut gluten-free bread with the same knife as a regular bread slicer, the crumbs from the regular bread can also get into this one, right? Therefore, always use a new knife/spoon for things like jam and butter. If possible, it is a good idea for people with Celiac Disease to keep separate butter and jam in squeezable bottles. You can also keep a separate toaster for toasting gluten-free bread.
• Before preparing gluten-free meals , wash and sanitize utensils, dishes, and work surfaces. Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water when preparing food.
• In restaurants: When you order food, tell the waiter or the kitchen staff about your condition. They will make sure your food is gluten-free and free of gluten-related ingredients.
• In grocery stores: Gluten-free breads, cereals, cake mixes, biscuits, and crackers are now available in many places. You can find even more of these items in health food stores and natural food markets. Avoid buying gluten-free products from bulk food bins , as there is a higher risk of cross-contamination.

What happens if I unknowingly eat something that contains gluten?

Even with all this caution, sometimes you may eat something containing gluten without realizing it. This is normal, don't think too much about it. Even if you ingest a small amount, you may experience mild inflammation in your intestines, but you may not always experience immediate symptoms. Normally, the lining of our small intestine is completely renewed in 3-4 days. So, if you make a mistake once, new cells come in and quickly replace the damaged cells. However, if you ingest gluten frequently, the intestinal wall can be damaged over time. So it's best to be as careful as possible.

What else do we need to know? (Take-Home Message)

Getting used to a gluten-free diet can be a bit challenging, especially at first. That's true. But over time, you'll get a better understanding of what foods you can and can't eat. Then it will be easier for you to find safe meals, snacks, and ingredients.

Remember, you are not alone with these eating problems. Your doctor may be able to tell you about a support group in your area. You can also find support groups and organizations online. Some examples include:

• Celiac Disease Foundation
• Beyond Celiac
• National Celiac Association

Places like these can provide you with more information, new recipes, and the experiences of others. You don't have to go through this journey alone. There are many people who can help you and understand you.

Celiac Disease, gluten, food allergy, stomach problems, nutritional deficiencies, gluten-free diet, autoimmune disease