What is Coeliac Disease?

The Coeliac disease is a life-long disease. It is an autoimmune disorder, which happens when a protein called Gluten (found in wheat, oats, rye and barley) causes a reaction in the body, resulting damage to the villi (small finger-like projections lining the small intestine, which help in digestion).

Due to the damage caused, the villi are not able to absorb the nutrients during the process of digestion, resulting in diarrhea and malnutrition. When exposed to Gluten, transglutaminase (enzyme tissue) modifies the protein, and thus causes the immune system to cross-react with bowel tissue, resulting in the inflammation.

It is reported that in UK the disease affects at least one in hundred people, though the incidents were equal for both, men and women. Coeliac disease is more common amongst people suffering from diabetes, autoimmune thyroid disease, osteoporosis, ulcerative colitis and epilepsy.

Coeliac Disease Symptoms

The most common symptom that afflicts people suffering form Coeliac disease is diarrhea. While the kids may not develop properly, the adults might tend to lose weight. Due to the mis-absorption of proper nutrients like iron or folate, it may also cause fatigue and weakness. Meanwhile, itchy rashes on the elbows and knees, mouth ulcers, vomiting and abdominal pain are also some characteristics associated with the disease

The long-term problems, which are associated with the disease, include infertility, osteoporosis and bowel cancer. While the children between ages 9 and 24 months might show some bowel symptoms and growth problems after being exposed to glutin-containing diet, older children and may just have mal-absorption related problems. Adults suffering from just a subtle form of this disease might only have fatigue or anemia.

How can we diagnose the Coeliac Disease?

There is a specialized blood test to diagnose the Coeliac Disease. Also, even if the blood tests show positive results, it becomes a necessity for the doctors to perform a biopsy from the tissue taken from ones intestine, before finally diagnosing the disease. Meanwhile, there are also several tests that help in the diagnosis, though if the patient is already on the glutin-free diet, they will all prove futile.

The blood tests can also be performed to check the abnormal presence of antibodies and to run a check on the full blood count, electrolytes, calcium, renal function, liver enzymes, Vitamin B12 and folic acids. Endoscopy can also be held to take an endoscopic still of the duodenum to show the scalloping of the folds. Coagulation testing may also prove useful in identifying the deficiency of the Vitamin K. It is also recommended by some to perform a DXA / DEXA scanning to check for osteoporosis.

Coeliac Disease Treatment

Though the Coeliac disease cannot be cured, it can be controlled for life by following a glutin-free diet. Having a glutin-free diet will help the villi of intestines recover form the damage and they will s functions as before. Thus, resulting in the disappearance of the symptoms related to the Coeliac disease.

It is necessary for the patients to consult a dietician who understands which foods contain gluten and thus need to be avoided and replaced by other equally nourishing products. Running a regular check for the osteoporosis is required. You also need to take a diet rich in Vitamin D and calcium to keep osteoporosis in check, while exercising using weights to make your bones strong.

What is the prognosis of the Coeliac Disease?

While it is easier for the adults and older children to survive the disease and withstand the strict diet, the children, especially infants, may not manage to thrive successfully. The diet for the Coeliac disease may be cumbersome, though glutin-free products are available in the markets, even though more expensive than common products.

Even while on the glutin-free diet, people might not enjoy the same health-based quality of life, for they may still have persisting digestive symptoms, mouth ulcers and other factors related to the disease. Though there is no definitive way of stopping the disease from developing, among kids, breast-feeding and delaying the introduction of gluten containing foods might help.

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