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What is Celiac Disease?
Celiac disease is also referred to as gluten-sensitive
enteropathy and celiac
sprue and is spelled as celiac disease in UK. It is
an autoimmune disorder, which affects the digestive system especially.
Celiac disease can occur in any person, irrespective of his/her age. The
symptoms vary in individuals to such an extent that it is misdiagnosed
as lactose intolerance, food allergy, etc. Gluten is a common protein
that occurs naturally in grains, cereals like wheat, rye, barley, oats,
etc.
People affected with celiac disease have antibodies, which act against
gluten and attacks the small intestine’s lining and damages it. The reason
behind the damage is yet unknown. Soon after damage, the small intestine
loses its capability to absorb even the basic nutrients like fats, proteins,
minerals and vitamins. It has just been found that this is an autoimmune
disease, which on gluten consumption induces our own immune system to
attack and cause damage to small intestine.
Initially, the lining of the small intestine, called mucosa gets inflamed.
Mucosa is usually covered with villi, hair-like projections. The inflammation
actually occurs as a result of the villi being shrunk or flattened (in
medical terms, atrophy). Villi are generally required for the absorption
of food nutrients from the bloodstream. When atrophy occurs, the area
left for nutrient absorption is reduced greatly, due to which malabsorption
occurs. Its consequences are osteoporosis, mineral and vitamin deficiencies.
Celiac disease may often occur genetically
driven along with the environmental aspects, though this may not be the
case always. Celiac disease was assumed to develop only in the white northern
European people living in countries like France, Ireland, Italy, etc and
hence thought to occur rarely in the US. It has affected one person in
every 2000 in those places, whereas in US, it affects one person in every
5000 and even this occurs in people who are descendants of Europe.
Recently, the new studies have observed that even in US, there are many
people affected with celiac disease, nearly one person in every 133. Besides,
it has found that it can affect people irrespective of their descent.
In addition, it has confirmed that the disease is genetically inherited.
Currently, the only treatment available for celiac disease
is to stick to a gluten-free diet for their entire life. Though it is
difficult to cope with the diet initially, there have been many patients
and hence there are gluten-free products available for their convenience.
Doctors encourage the use of these products to the entire family. There
are guidelines to be followed in shopping, dining out or food preparation
at homes for such people. Though such people are found to produce no symptoms,
it is recommended to follow the diet strictly.
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