Celiac Disease Basics

Celiac disease is when the body absorbs undigested proteins that could damage the intestinal lining by gluten proteins. "Gluten is the protein in wheat, rye, and barley."

A celiac patient needs to have a gluten free diet; gluten needs to be eliminated to avoid creating holes in the intestinal walls so that food allergies, toxins from many food dyes, preservatives, and artificial flavors would not be able to enter the bloodstream. Pathogens like bacteria, worms, fungus and viruses can invade the organs if a strict celiac diet would not be followed.

One in around one hundred have celiac disease. Many could have the disease witout having celiac symptoms. People with celiac disease experience symptoms like cancer, epilepsy, attention deficit disorders, chronic fatigue, malnutrition and other varying symptoms like emotional stress. It could also include bloating, malnutrition, gatric upsets, diarhea, fatty stools and vomiting.

Celiac Sprue

Celiac Sprue is also a form of celiac disease; it is a genetic disorder that primarily affects the digestive system. The intolerance for gluten leads to intestinal damage due to inflammation. Celiac sprue can be diminished when a patient follows a strict diet so that gastric cancers and pernicious anemia can be avoided.

Dermatitis Herpetiformis (DH)

Dermatitis Herpetiformis is a skin disorder associated with gluten hypersensitivity. It attacks the skin like inflammation. It is characterized by blistering, excoriations and urticarial plaques. The typical place where lesions can be found is in prominently bony areas like the back, knees, elbows and buttocks. This condition is severely itchy. An estimated 15- 25 patients with celiac disease are likely to develop DH.

Crohn's Disease

Is a gastro intestinal inflammation that affects the small intestines. This condition triggers abdominal pain; it could also manifest bloody stools, vomiting, dehydration and weight loss.

Sufferers experience severe mal absorption and diseases related t vitamin and mineral deficiency such as osteoporosis, scurvy, anemia and rickets in children. Common treatment would often include a complete dose of antibiotic treatments to fight off potentially dangerous infections.

Celiac Disease in Children

Celiac disease symptoms manifest within three to five months after the first intake. A child suffering from celiac will thrive until gluten is introduced into the diet; after that the child will refuse to be fed and would start losing weight. A child will exhibit symptoms like irritability and would develop a large abdomen. Stools would become abnormal and would be loose-like diarrhea.

Symptoms to Expect.

Inability to concentrate in children, difficulty with mental alertness, it could also include mood swings and depression that could also be experienced by teens.

Products like barley, rye and oats should be avoided. While fruits, grilled meats, vegetables, salads, eggs and potatoes can be staple choices for a person who is suffering from celiac.