ABSTRACT – Celiac Disease or Coeliac Disease is also known as Celiac Sprue or Gluten Sensitive Enteropathy. It is...
Celiac disease
Celiac Disease or Coeliac Disease is also known as Celiac Sprue or Gluten Sensitive Enteropathy. It is a chronic disorder affecting the small intestine. It is an immune reaction caused due to eating food containing gluten like wheat, barley etc. Over a period of time, this reaction damages the villi lining of small intestine and stops it from absorbing nutrients.
CAUSES –
Glutenins and gliadins found in crops of the tribe Triticeae and Aveneae
Genetics
Gastrointestinal infections
Infant feeding practices
Pregnancy and child birth
Surgery
Stress
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS –
Gastrointestinal symptoms:
Steatorrhoea
Weight loss
Constipation
Bloating and gas
Abdominal pain and cramps
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhoea
Mouth ulcers
Malabsorption related symptoms:
Anemia
Osteoporosis or osteomalacia
Abnormal coagulation
Selenium deficiency
Copper and Zinc deficiency
Headache and fatigue
Effect on nervous system like balancing problem, cognitive impairment etc.
Joint pain
Growth failure or puberty delay
Miscellaneous
Dermatitis Herpetiformis
Hyposplenism
Immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency
Pregnancy complications
Abnormal liver function
DIAGNOSIS –
Blood test
Endoscopy
Pathology
Gluten withdrawal
Other diagnostic tests like essential mineral and vitamin deficiency test, thyroid test etc.
Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry
TREATMENT –
Gluten free diet
Steroids or immunosuppressants for refractory disease
RISK FACTORS –
Genetics
Surgery
Stress
Gut infection
Pregnancy
Other medical conditions like Diabetes, Down Syndrome, Addison’s disease etc
Feeding food containing gluten to infants after 6 months of age
COMPLICATIONS –
If this condition is not treated, it may cause:
Infertility and miscarriage
Malnutrition
Bone weakening
Cancer
Nervous system problems
Lactose intolerance
People who do not respond to gluten free diet may suffer from:
Microscopic Colitis
Bacteria in small intestine
Refractory Celiac Disease
Difficulty in digesting sugar found in food items like honey and fruits
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Dysfunctional pancreas
EPIDEMIOLOGY –
Approximately 1 in 100 people suffer from this disease worldwide.
Indian and western culture have a high risk of Celiac disease than African, Japanese and Chinese culture.
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