CONDITIONS
COELIAC DISEASE
Coeliac disease or simply known as sprue or coeliac is actually a gluten-sensitive enteropathy that manifests after an immune reaction to eating gluten or gliadin, proteins found in wheat, rye, and barley. It results in the blunting of villi in the small intestine.
Sign and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of celiac disease are different in children and adults and can vary greatly from person to person. The most common ones include;
- Malabsorption
- Abdominal bloating
- Fatigue
- Malnutrition
- Iron deficiency anaemia
- Alternate Diarrhoea and Constipation
- Osteoporosis
- Weight loss
Causes
The precise cause isn’t known while it is thought to be an autoimmune disease (in which your body starts killing your own cells), often triggered by eating foods that contain gluten and other environmental factors. Infant feeding practices, gut bacteria, and gastrointestinal infections might contribute to the manifestation of celiac disease. Sometimes it becomes active or triggered for the first time after
- Pregnancy
- Childbirth
- Surgery
- Severe emotional stress or
- Viral infections
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of celiac disease is usually done by a gastroenterologist that involves screening of the blood for transglutaminase- IgA antibodies followed (if the blood test shows positive results, i.e., the presence of IgA antibodies) by biopsy of the small intestine. An affected person must be consuming a gluten diet for accurate diagnosis.
Treatment
Although there are medications available, a strict, lifelong gluten-free diet is the most effective way to manage this gut disorder. Here’s the list of top gluten-containing foods to avoid;
Your doctor may refer you to a dietician for a detailed guide to gluten-free diet. Have a look at the best gluten-free foods you can eat.
Once you eliminate gluten from your diet, inflammation in your gut generally begins to lessen. Healing in the affected area occurs more quickly in children than adults. After complete healing, the regrowth of the villi may take several months to years.