Celiac is a chronic digestive and autoimmune disorder that is triggered by ingesting gluten and causes damage to the small intestine.
Celiac disease is also called celiac sprue, coeliac disease, non-tropical sprue, and gluten-sensitive enteropathy.
If you have celiac disease and you eat gluten, your immune system sees gluten as a threat and reacts by attacking the tiny bumps (villi) in your small intestine. This “attack” causes damage to the small intestine which in turn prevents the proper absorption of food nutrients. Harmful inflammation can also occur in other parts of the body.
About Gluten
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, or barley and is common in many foods such as cakes, breads, and pasta. Additionally, there are other products containing gluten such as lip balms, oral care products like toothpaste, vitamin supplements, and over-the-counter medications.
Symptoms of Celiac Disease
Celiac symptoms can vary by person and can come and go.
Common digestive symptoms include:
- Constipation
- Chronic diarrhea
- Gas
- Bloating
- Loose stools
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal Pain
Most patients with celiac disease experience multiple symptoms before diagnoses and treatment. Other symptoms of celiac disease can include headaches, fatigue, itchy skin (rash), brittle nails, unintended weight loss, muscle cramps, or joint pain.
Testing for Celiac Disease
If you believe you are experiencing an adverse reaction to gluten in your diet, the first step is to talk to your family doctor. Blood tests can be used to determine that you may have celiac disease. Your primary care provider can order these tests.
You’ll need to get tested for celiac disease before you try a gluten-free diet, so the tests will accurately reflect how gluten affects your body.
A positive result on these blood tests does not mean you have celiac disease. After a positive result, your primary care doctor will likely refer you to a specialist like a gastroenterologist (a doctor who specializes in conditions involving the digestive system).
A gastroenterologist may recommend an endoscopy. Typically done on an outpatient basis, an endoscopy is a procedure in which the doctor will use an endoscope to take tiny samples of your small intestine.
These samples get sent to a lab for evaluation where a pathologist will look for signs of atrophy and increased inflammatory cells called lymphocytes to confirm celiac disease.
Negative results on these tests don’t necessarily mean you don’t have a problem with gluten, you may be experiencing non-celiac gluten sensitivity. This condition can be managed with the help of your family doctor.
If you are diagnosed with celiac disease, your primary care doctor can provide follow-up care.
How is Celiac Disease Treated?
There are currently no medications or surgical treatments available to cure this immune disorder.
You cannot change the way your body reacts to gluten, but you can prevent gluten from triggering the reaction. The only treatment for celiac disease is a strict gluten-free diet. This means avoiding all foods that contain wheat, barley, and rye in all forms.
When you stop eating gluten, your small intestine should begin to heal. Soon your villi will be back to working again and absorbing nutrients properly.
You will need to maintain a totally gluten-free diet for life to avoid damaging your small intestines again.
The good news is that most patients who have been diagnosed with celiac disease and follow a gluten-free diet have an excellent prognosis. Typically, most of the damage done by celiac disease can be un-done.
Celiac disease is a digestive and immune disorder that damages your small intestine. It can be difficult to differentiate celiac from non-gluten sensitivity or other digestive conditions based on symptoms alone making an assessment by an experienced doctor essential.
If you suspect you have celiac disease or are experiencing digestive distress, contact the caring professionals at River Bend Medical Associates for an appointment today. Our team is committed to delivering compassionate health care for our patients. As part of your medical team, we are here to provide you with the best care in all aspects of your healthcare needs, including celiac care. For more information on our medical practice, or to make an appointment contact River Bend Medical Associates, or call 916-392-4000.
