Celiac disease is a serious autoimmune disorder that can occur in genetically predisposed people where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine. It is estimated to affect 1 in 100 people worldwide. Two and one-half million Americans are undiagnosed and are at risk for long-term health complications. When people with celiac disease eat gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye and barley), their body mounts an immune response that attacks the small intestine. These attacks lead to damage on the villi, (small fingerlike projections that line the small intestine), that promote nutrient absorption. When the villi get damaged, nutrients cannot be absorbed properly into the body.Celiac disease is hereditary, meaning that it runs in families. People with a first-degree relative with celiac disease (parent, child, siblings) have a 1 in 10 risk of developing celiac disease.Celiac disease can develop at any age after people start eating foods or medicines that contain gluten. Left untreated, celiac disease can lead to additional serious health problems. These include the development of other autoimmune disorders like Type I diabetes and multiple sclerosis (MS), dermatitis herpetiformis (an itchy skin rash), anemia, osteoporosis, infertility and miscarriage, neurological conditions like epilepsy and migraines, short stature, and intestinal cancers.
Diarrhoea is the most common symptom of coeliac disease. It's caused by the body not being able to fully absorb nutrients. Stool become foul smelling, greasy and frothy. They may also be difficult to flush down the toilet.Other gut-related symptoms include: abdominal pain, bloating and flatulence (passing wind), indigestion, constipation, vomiting (usually only affects children), And more general symptoms may include: fatigue (extreme tiredness), which may be a sign of iron deficiency anaemia or vitamin B12 folate deficiency anaemia, unexpected weight loss, an itchy skin rash, difficulty getting pregnant, tingling and numbness in your hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy), disorders that affect co-ordination, balance and speech (ataxia), swelling of the hands, feet, arms and legs caused by a build-up of fluid.
It is not known very clearly, however several factors are associated like presence of family history. Coeliac disease is also strongly associated the presence of certain genes called HLA DQ2 and HLA DQ8. Celiac disease only happens to individuals who have particular genes. In them, it is caused by a reaction of the immune system to gluten – a protein found in wheat, rye and barley.
Currently, the only treatment for celiac disease is lifelong adherence to a strict gluten-free diet. Ingesting small amounts of gluten, like crumbs from a cutting board or toaster, can trigger small intestine damage.Symptoms of coeliac disease can range from mild to severe, and often come and go. Treatment is recommended even when symptoms are mild or non-existent, because complications can still occur.
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