Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is a serious autoimmune disease that occurs in genetically predisposed people where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage to the small intestine. It is estimated to affect 1 in 100 people worldwide, but only about 30% are properly diagnosed.
Consuming gluten-containing food causes this condition. Bread, pasta, biscuits, and cakes frequently include gluten, a naturally occurring protein in wheat, barley, and rye. Numerous items, including prepared foods, lip balms, lipstick, toothpaste, vitamin and nutrition supplements, and, infrequently, prescription medications, contain gluten.
Celiac illness can be quite harmful. The illness might prevent your body from absorbing all the nutrients it needs and result in long-lasting digestive issues. Outside of the small intestine, the body is susceptible to celiac disease.
Wheat intolerance or gluten sensitivity is not the same as celiac disease. If you are sensitive to gluten, you can experience fatigue and gastrointestinal discomfort similar to celiac disease. Gluten sensitivity does not harm the small intestine as the celiac disease does.
A food allergy known as a wheat allergy is distinct from celiac disease. Your body's immune system responds to wheat in both situations. However, some symptoms of wheat allergies, like itchy eyes or difficulty breathing, are distinct from those of celiac disease. Additionally, wheat allergies do not harm the small intestine over the long run.
The Celiac Disease Foundation claims that because it affects people in so many different ways and on so many different levels, Celiac Disease can be challenging to diagnose. In fact, it's thought that there are hundreds of celiac disease symptoms in the body that are connected to the disease's negative effects on the immune and digestive systems in persons with gluten sensitivities.
Typical signs of celiac disease include:
Abdominal pain, cramps, and bloating
Constipation or diarrhea
Changes in weight
Difficulty concentrating or "brain fog"
Sleep disorders
Persistent sluggishness or weariness
Nutritional deficits (malnutrition) brought on by digestive system absorption issues
Persistent headaches
Bone or joint pain
Infertility or repeated miscarriages
Changes in mood, including anxiety,
Tingling or numbness in the hands and feet
Seizures, irregular periods, canker sores within the mouth, thinning hair, and dull skin
What other health issues might those who have celiac disease expect?
Experts have discovered that some people have immune system-related conditions as well as celiac disease. These conditions include:
Diabetes type 1
Thyroid conditions such as primary hyperparathyroidism, Hashimoto's disease, Graves' disease, and Addison's disease
A disorder known as selective immunoglobulin A deficiency causes your body to produce little to no IgA, an antibody that fights infections.
Rheumatic illnesses like Sjogren's syndrome
Liver conditions such as primary biliary cholangitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, and autoimmune hepatitis
What side effects might celiac disease cause?
The following are some long-term effects of celiac disease:
Osteomalacia, also known as rapid osteoporosis or bone softening
Anemia
Malnutrition is a state in which a person doesn't get the recommended amounts of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients for good health.
Neurological issues
Issues affecting the reproductive system
Adenocarcinoma, a rare kind of small intestine cancer, is one of the possible side effects.
Hepatic injury that could result in cirrhosis or liver failure
lymphoma
RESOURCES:
https://www.nature.com/nrneurol/
2022. NP. Malika Katrouche. All Rights Reserved.
