About Celiac Disease
Celiac disease (CD) is also referred to as gluten sensitive enteropathy (GSE), gluten intolerance, or celiac sprue. It is
considered to be the most under-diagnosed common disease today, potentially affecting 1 in every 133 people in the USA. It is a
chronic, inherited disease, and if untreated can ultimately lead to malnutrition. Gluten intolerance is the result of an immune-mediated response to the ingestion of gluten (from wheat, rye, and barley) that damages the small intestine. Nutrients are then
quickly passed through the small intestine, rather than being absorbed. To develop celiac disease (CD) three (3) things must be
present: 1) you must inherit the gene, 2) consume gluten, and 3) have the gene triggered. Common triggers may include stress,
trauma (surgeries, pregnancy, etc.), and viral infections. Approximately 1 in 20 first-degree relatives could have CD triggered in
their lifetime. The disease is permanent and damage to the small intestine will occur every time you consume gluten, regardless if
symptoms are present.
Symptoms
Celiac disease was once thought of as a disease with only GI symptoms. It is now recognized that the disease is a multi-symptom,
multi-system (organ) disease. Celiac disease also does not routinely present with the 'textbook' symptoms that physicians learn.
More often it presents with symptoms that can mimic other problems.
Most physicians recognize the classic symptoms of celiac disease : diarrhea, bloating, weight loss, anemia, chronic fatigue,
weakness, bone pain, and muscle cramps. Physicians may not be aware that celiac disease frequently presents with other symptoms,
some that do not involve the small intestine. More often, symptoms can include constipation, constipation alternating with
diarrhea, or premature osteoporosis. Overweight persons may also have undiagnosed celiac disease. Children may exhibit behavioral,
learning or concentration problems, irritability, diarrhea, bloated abdomen, growth failure, dental enamel defects, or projectile
vomiting. Others will have symptoms such as rheumatoid conditions, chronic anemia, chronic fatigue, weakness, migraine headaches,
nerve problems such as tingling of hands or difficulty walking, or other conditions that are unexplained and/or do not respond to
usual treatment. People may have one or more of the above symptoms. Patients are frequently misdiagnosed as having 'irritable
bowel syndrome', 'spastic colon/bowel', or 'Crohn's disease'.
Diagnosis
Initial screening for CD is a blood test taken by your physician. The test can be referred to as a Celiac Panel or by the names
of the individual tests. To provide the most accurate information, the blood test should include the following tests: anti-endomysial antibody (lgA EMA) and anti-gliadin antibody (lgA IgG), and tissue transglutaminase (tTG IgA). These tests are
very sensitive and specific for celiac disease. A gastroenterologist takes small intestine tissue biopsies if the results of the
antibody test(s) are positive or he/she has a strong suspicion of CD. A biopsy showing damaged villi in the small intestine is the
first half of the 'Gold Standard' to diagnosing CD. The second half of the 'Gold Standard' is improvement of health with the
gluten-free diet.
Treatment
Strict adherence to a gluten-free diet for life is the only treatment currently available. This involves the elimination of
wheat, rye, barley, and derivatives of these grains from your diet. Medication is not normally required, unless there is an
accompanying condition, e.g. osteoporosis, dermatitis herpetiformis, etc. Thriving, showing improvement and return of health on
the gluten-free diet is the second half of the 'gold standard' of being diagnosed with CD.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor:
- Should I take nutritional supplements?
- Could I have associated food intolerances?
- Where can I have a bone density study?
- What other concerns should I have?
- How can I find out about the diet?
Prognosis
Excellent, if you stay on the gluten-free diet. The small intestine will steadily heal and start absorbing the needed
nutrients. You should start feeling better almost immediately; however, complete recovery may take several months to years.