CELIAC DISEASE

The signs and symptoms of celiac disease can vary greatly and differ in children and adults. Digestive signs and symptoms for adults include:

Diarrhea

Fatigue

Weight loss

Bloating and gas

Abdominal pain

Nausea and vomiting

Constipation

However, more than half the adults with celiac disease have signs and symptoms unrelated to the digestive system, including:

Itchy, blistery skin rash (dermatitis herpetiformis)

Anemia, usually from iron deficiency

Loss of bone density (osteoporosis) or softening of bone (osteomalacia)

Mouth ulcers

Headaches and fatigue

Nervous system injury, including numbness and tingling in the feet and hands, possible problems with balance, and cognitive impairment

Joint pain

Reduced functioning of the spleen (hyposplenism

Children

Children with celiac disease are more likely than adults to have digestive problems, including:

Nausea and vomiting

Chronic diarrhea

Swollen belly

Constipation

Gas

Pale, foul-smelling stools

The inability to absorb nutrients might result in:

Failure to thrive for infants

Damage to tooth enamel

Weight loss

Anemia

Irritability

Short stature

Delayed puberty

Neurological symptoms, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning disabilities, headaches, lack of muscle coordination and seizures

This disease affects the digestive system mainly the small intestine as it stops the body from taking nutrients.

The muscles of the small intestine mix food with the juices from the liver,pancreas,and intestine and push the mixture forward for further digestion.

The walls of the small intestine absorb water and the digested nutrients into your bloodstream.eating gluten triggers an immune response in your small intestine.

. This inflammation causes damage to the lining of the bowel and produces the acute symptoms that patients experience when they ingest gluten

Over time, this reaction damages your small intestine's lining and prevents it from absorbing some nutrients

T cells found in the bowel are normally protective “tissue-healing” cells.

However, in those with celiac disease, T cells produce inflammation when exposed to gluten.

If the results of these tests indicate celiac disease, your doctor will likely order one of the following tests:

Endoscopy. This test uses a long tube with a tiny camera that's put into your mouth and passed down your throat (upper endoscopy).

The camera enables your doctor to view your small intestine and take a small tissue sample (biopsy) to analyze for damage to the villi.

Two blood tests can help diagnose it:

Serology testing looks for antibodies in your blood. Elevated levels of certain antibody proteins indicate an immune reaction to gluten.

enetic testing for human leukocyte antigens (HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8) can be used to rule out celiac disease.

It's important to be tested for celiac disease before trying a gluten-free diet. Eliminating gluten from your diet might make the results of blood tests appear normal.

Capsule endoscopy. This test uses a tiny wireless camera to take pictures of your entire small intestine. .

The camera sits inside a vitamin-sized capsule, which you swallow

As the capsule travels through your digestive tract, the camera takes thousands of pictures that are transmitted to a recorder

A strict, lifelong gluten-free diet is the only way to manage celiac disease. Besides wheat, foods that contain gluten include:

Barley

Bulgur

Triticale

Durum

Farina

Graham flour

Malt

Rye

Semolina

Spelt (a form of wheat)

Removing gluten from your diet will gradually reduce inflammation in your small intestine, causing you to feel better and eventually heal. Children tend to heal more quickly than adults.

If your small intestine is severely damaged or you have refractory celiac disease, your doctor might recommend steroids to control inflammation.

Steroids can ease severe signs and symptoms of celiac disease while the intestine heals.

Other drugs, such as azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran) or budesonide (Entocort EC, Uceris), might be used

For most people with celiac disease, a gluten-free diet will allow the small intestine to heal.

For children, that usually takes three to six months.

For adults, complete healing might take several years.

Vitamins and supplements are usually taken in pill form.

vitamins, your doctor might give them by injection.

Gluten can be hidden in foods, medications and nonfood products, including:

If your anemia or nutritional deficiencies are severe, your doctor or dietitian might recommend that you take supplements, including:

Copper

Folate

Iron

Vitamin B-12

Vitamin D

Vitamin K

Zinc

A dietitian who works with people with celiac disease can help you plan a healthy gluten-free diet. Even trace amounts of gluten in your diet can be damaging, even if they don't cause signs or symptoms.

Toothpaste and mouthwash

Celiac disease is a chronic digestive and immune disorder that damages the small intestine.

This disease is triggered by eating foods that contain gluten; this can cause long-lasting digestive problems and can keep you from getting all the nutrients your body needs.

It’s an autoimmune disease that is caused when you eat gluten and when you have celiac disease, gluten spurs your immune system to attack the small intestine.

Refractory celiac disease

If you have refractory celiac disease, your small intestine won't heal.

Then you'll likely need to be evaluated in a specialized center.

Refractory celiac disease can be quite serious, and there is currently no proven treatment.

Herbal and nutritional supplements

Lipstick products

Vitamin and mineral supplements

Communion wafers

Envelope and stamp glue

Play dough

Modified food starch, preservatives and food stabilizers

Prescription and over-the-counter medications