The cause of Celiac Disease, also termed Gluten-Sensitive Enteropathy, or Celiac-Sprue, is unknown. Indications are that there is a genetic involvement in the regulation of the body's altered immune response to the gluten protein fractions.
Some factors associated with the onset of Celiac Disease include:
| ¤ severe emotional stress ¤ physical trauma ¤ a viral infection ¤ pregnancy ¤ surgery ¤ other environmental factors |
The function of the small intestine is digestion and absorption of nutrients. When people with Celiac Disease consume gluten, the absorptive villi (hair-like projections) on the surface of the small intestine are damaged or destroyed. As a result, the body is unable to absorb basic nutrients - protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and in some cases, water and bile salts. If left untreated, the damage can be life threatening!
| Other associated immunological disorders: |
Less
commonly, CD is also linked to: |
|
|---|---|---|
| ¤ Insulin-Dependent
Diabetes Mellitus ¤ Dermatitis Herpetiformis ¤ Thyroid Disease ¤ IgA Nephropathy ¤ Systemic Lupus Erythematosis |
¤ Chronic
Active Hepatitis ¤ Rheumatoid Arthritis ¤ Addison's Disease ¤ Scleroderma ¤ Myasthenia Gravis ¤ Sjrogen's Syndrome |
|
DIAGNOSIS
Diagnosis can be made from infancy through old age. Antibody tests
are not diagnostic, but may be useful to identify those people
who need a biopsy, who are consuming gluten. A small bowel biopsy
is the Gold Standard for the diagnosis of CD. In the case of Dermatitis
Herpetiformis, diagnosis is made by biopsy of the skin lesions.
80% of DH patients have small bowel sensitivity to gluten. An
experienced CD/DH pathologist is helpful to establish these diagnoses.
Diagnosis must be followed by close observation and monitoring
of the clinical response to a gluten-free diet.
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms are as varied as the nutritional deficiencies caused
by the malabsorption. Symptoms may appear at any age. Infants,
toddlers and children may exhibit growth failure and vomiting.
The most common symptoms are:
abdominal cramping; intestinal gas; distention and bloating; chronic
diarrhea or constipation - often with pale bulky stools; an intense
blistering, itchy skin condition known as Dermatitis Herpetiformis,
can also occur. Weight loss, depression & irritability, anemia,
fatigue, weakness, and lack of energy.
TREATMENT
There is no known cure for Celiac Disease. CD/DH can be controlled
by the life-long adherence to a gluten-free diet. When the toxic
proteins are removed from the diet, the bowel will heal and overall
health improves.
Maintenance of a gluten-free diet is not as simple as it may seem. Labeling laws are imprecise. Unidentified starch, binders and fillers in medications and vitamin preparations need to be identified.
Gluten can be found in soups, salad dressings, processed foods, soy sauce, and even licorice. It is crucial to CAREFULLY read food and pharmaceutical labels for hidden sources of gluten proteins SUCH AS: hydrolyzed vegetable protein, modified food starch binders, fillers, excipients, extenders, undistilled grain vinegars & alcohols, malt & other natural flavorings
About Celiac disease