Celiac Disease: Meaning, Diagnosis and Overview

What is Celiac Disease?

Celiac disease also known as celiac sprue or gluten-sensitive enteropathy is a digestive and autoimmune disease that results in damage to the lining of the small intestine when foods with gluten are eaten (Glutens are a form of protein found in some grains like wheat, rye, barley and oats).
The intestine cannot break down the gliadina (component in gluten), and undigested gliadin damages the lining of the small intestine, which causes malabsorption: water and nutrients are not properly absorbed by the intestine.

Recovery Time

The time it takes for someone to feel better on a gluten-free diet varies. Many people feel better within a few days and usually symptoms like nausea; diarrhoea and bloating clear up within a few weeks.
Some symptoms may take longer to improve, or you may find one symptom gets better before another. The time it takes for the gut damage to heal completely varies from person to person and can take between six months and two years.

Diagnosis

Coeliac disease is often difficult to diagnose due to its non-specific symptoms and the long period of onset.  Diagnosis is based on three main areas:

• Medical history/ physical examination
• Blood tests
• Small bowel biopsy
• Endoscopy 

FAQs prepared by doctor

1. What is celiac disease?
Celiac disease also known as celiac sprue or gluten-sensitive enteropathy is a digestive and autoimmune disease that results in damage to the lining of the small intestine when foods with gluten are eaten.

2. What are glutens?
Glutens are a form of protein found in some grains like wheat, rye, barley and oats.

3. How does celiac disease happen?
The intestine can?t break down the gliadina (component in gluten), and undigested gliadin damages the lining of the small intestine, which causes malabsorption: water and nutrients are not properly absorbed by the intestine.

4. Is celiac disease a food allergy?
No, celiac disease is not a food allergy; rather it is an autoimmune disease. Food allergies, including wheat allergy, are conditions that people can grow out of. This is not the case with celiac disease.

5. What to do when suffering from this disease?
Do not eat foods that contain wheat, barley, rye, and possibly oats. Go for gluten free diet.

6. When shall one consult a doctor?
Consult a doctor if one suffering  from Loss of appetite , Develop persistent, runny, foul-smelling diarrhea, Abdominal pain, Sudden weight loss or Mouth ulcers. Foul-smelling or grayish stools that may be oily if there required immediate consultation