Celiac Disease: The New Terror




Celiac Disease, literally known as gluten allergy, is a serious lifelong auto immune disorder. Two and a half million Americans remain undiagnosed.

In this, the patient develops immune responses against gluten protein attacking the small intestine thereby reducing the absorption of nutrients from food. This is most common in Caucasians but now found globally. The rate of incidence is 1 in 100 worldwide.

What is Gluten?

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. Ingestion of these grains triggers cellular immune responses, development of antibodies against gluten protein, damaging the lining of small intestine. Small finger-like projections, micro-villi, line the small intestine. Antibodies generated in response to gluten protein damage these tiny projections hampering optimal absorption of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients from food.


3 W’s: When, Whom and Why
Celiac can develop at any age once humans start eating foods and medicines containing gluten. But individuals with following are at an elevated risk:
  • ·      Type 1 Diabetes
  •        Celiac running in families or hereditary celiac 
  •        Down syndrome/Turner’s syndrome
  •        Autoimmune Thyroid Disease
  •        Rheumatoid Arthritis
  •        Addison’s Disease

Celiac tends to run in families. Being a genetic disorder occurs primarily due to interaction between genes, it can be passed on from parents to progeny. Celiac might also be a joint effect of several environmental factors, surgery, pregnancy, child birth, viral infection or severe emotional stress.

Signs and Symptoms

Celiac is difficult to diagnose as it manifests in varied manner in different people. More than 200 celiac symptoms have been observed. Some develop celiac as a child and some as an adult, also many individuals positive for celiac show no symptoms at all.

Types of Celiac Diseases
World Gastroenterology Organization has categorized celiac into three classes:

Associated Diseases
1.   Dermatitis Herpetiformis
§  Itchy blistering skin disease that stems from intestinal gluten intolerance
§  Rashes occur on knees, torso, buttocks, scalp and elbows
§  Changes in villus lining of small intestine
2.   Type 1 Diabetes

When to see a Doctor
Consult a doctor on experiencing diarrhea or digestive discomfort. In case of children, when a child is pale, irritable, failing to grow, surfacing potbelly and bulky stools indicates need for medical supervision.
Complications
·      Malnutrition
·      Loss of Ca+2 and bone density
·      Infertility and miscarriage
·      Lactose Intolerance
·      Neurological Disorders
·      Skin Disorders
·      Cancer
Screening
There are several serological (blood) tests available that screen for celiac disease antibodies, but the most commonly used is called a tTG-IgA test. For this test to work, you must be consuming gluten. This test detects the formation of gluten antibodies in individual’s blood. If blood test results suggest celiac disease, your physician will recommend a biopsy of your small intestine to confirm the diagnosis.





    

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