What is celiac disease ? its symptoms and treatment

 

Celiac disease is a long-term autoimmune disorder that is characterized by inflammation in the small intestine due to exposure to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. If you have celiac disease and eat foods with gluten, your immune system responds by creating toxins that damage your villi. The vili are small, finger-like protrusions that line the small intestine.They absorb vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients from the food we eat.

When the villi become damaged, it affects the absorption of some nutrients, as in malabsorption, eventually leading to malnutrition and other severe medical complications, including permanent intestinal damage. Gluten may also be found in other products like vitamins and supplements, toothpaste, hair and skin products, and lipsticks.

If you have celiac disease, you may have to eliminate all forms of gluten from your diet, such as bread products, baked goods, beer, and other foods where gluten may be used as a stabilizing ingredient. Celiac disease can affect anyone, young or old. In children, malabsorption can lead to abnormal growth and development.

Causes :

Celiac disease is caused by a reaction to gluten, which is found in wheat, barley, and rye. Some gene variations may increase the risk of developing the disease. Celiac disease may become active for the first time after surgery. Emotional stress, viral infections, pregnancy, or childbirth Factors that might predispose an individual to celiac disease may include type 1 diabetes, down syndrome, autoimmune thyroid disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Symptoms :

Symptoms can vary greatly between children and adults.In adults, the most common symptoms are diarrhea, fatigue, and headaches. In children under the age of two, symptoms include abdominal pain, constipation, nausea, anemia, itchy, blistery skin rash, bone density loss, numbness and tingling in the hands and feet, heartburn, and acid reflux.Symptoms may include chronic diarrhea, failure to thrive, poor appetite, swelling in the belly, and vomiting. Symptoms in older children may include constipation, weight loss, irritability, and stunted growth. delayed puberty

Diagnosis:

Doctors use two blood tests to make a diagnosis. Serology tests that look for specific antibodies in blood

A high level of certain antibody proteins may indicate an immune reaction to gluten. Generic tests to look for human leukocyte antigens to rule out celiac disease If the test shows celiac disease, your doctor may request an endoscopy to view your small intestine and take a little bit of tissue to see if it is damaged.

Treatment to manage celiac disease :

There is a need to go on a strict gluten-free diet for a better result. In addition to staying away from bread, cake, and other baked goods, you may also need to stay away from beer, pasta, cereals, some medications, and other products that may contain gluten.

Gluten can be found in preservatives, vitamin supplements, herbal supplements, lipstick products, toothpaste, and mouthwash. If you have a chronic nutritional deficiency, your doctor may recommend gluten-free mineral and vitamin supplements. If you have severe intestinal damage, steroids may be recommended. To control inflammation, your doctor may recommend a dietitian to help you plan a healthy, gluten-free diet so that inflammation in your small intestine starts to reduce. After removing gluten from your diet, regrowth and complete healing of the villi may take months to years.