Diarrhea, inflammation, and damage of the small intestine don’t ignore these symptoms. They could be a result of celiac disease.
A person suffering from celiac disease will have an absolute intolerance to gluten.
It is also called an autoimmune disease rather than an allergy because antibodies produced by the body attack the body’s tissues. Dietary gluten triggers an attack in sufferers of celiac disease. Oats, rye, wheat, and barley contain this protein.
When the small intestine is affected food will not be absorbed properly, leading to malnutrition. There are many other symptoms that indicate celiac disease such as anemia, fatigue, flatulence, weight and hair loss, constipation, infertility and depression.
Some of these symptoms could also indicate irritable bowel syndrome or an allergy to wheat. Stress and aging could also be possible causes. As such it may be difficult for a physician to diagnose a person with celiac disease based on these symptoms, and it may take time for the proper diagnosis to be made and treatment prescribed.
The disease is thought to run in families so there is a genetic link. It is also found in patients with type 1 diabetes, osteoporosis, epilepsy, and thyroid disease.
There is no way to stop anyone developing this disease. Doctors have developed a special blood test to help diagnose celiac disease. If this test determines that celiac disease is likely to be causing the symptoms the doctors will ask for a biopsy as that is the only way to confirm diagnosis.
If you suspect you have celiac disease then consult a physician and take the tests. If undiagnosed it leads to bowel cancer, neurological diseases, and infertility.
However, once celiac disease is confirmed the patient should have a totally gluten-free diet. This allows the damaged small intestine to recover and absorb food and nutrients normally.
A professional dietitian can help you plan your food intake with things that are gluten free such as fish, eggs, cheese, milk, fresh meat, vegetables, and fruits. They can help you identify foods that can replace barley and oats and wheat.
Research is ongoing to find out ways to help hinder the damaging consequence that gluten has on the small intestine so people suffering from celiac disease are not restricted in what they eat.
