Celiac Disease: Its Symptoms, Treatment, and Management

Celiac disease is a non communicable autoimmune disease.A protein named Gluten that is present in wheat,barley,and rye is not good for celiac patients’s health.It targets the immune response and damages the small intestine lining.The damaged intestinal lining prevents the absorption of essential nutrients causing weakness in the body.This pathways to a variety of symptoms and health problems if left untreated.

What are the causes And risk factors?

If celiac disease is not treated it can lead to many other autoimmune disorders.Autoimmune disease is the disease in which the body attacks its own immune system thus having various health issues.It is a genetic disease that means one inherits it from its family.A family with a history of Celiac Disease is very likely to have type 1 diabetes,autoimmune thyroid and also down syndrome.

Common symptoms are

• Problems with the digestive system
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting and feeling of nausea
• Tiredness and weakness
• Anemia
• Pain in joints
• Infertility etc.

Diagnosis

• Blood tests help to detect specific antibodies.
• Genetic testing is a type of test that helps to identify genes that may cause or increase any risk of genetic disorders.
• Biopsy of the small intestine while doing endoscopy can help detect damage to the intestinal lining.

What are the Treatments?

Celiac Disease is not curable.One has to remain gluten free for Lifetime.Patients with celiac disease should avoid food items containing wheat ,barley and rye.They can switch to different food items such as rice,corn etc.

Studies and researches have shown patients who avoid gluten have shown improvement in the healing process.

Complications and management –

If Celiac Disease is not treated it may lead to various other health problems such as osteoporosis,fertility issues,malnutrition,intestinal lymphoma ( type of cancer of intestine).One should take nutritional supplements to fix any nutrition deficiency.Regular health checkup.Eating proper gluten free but a balanced diet with good supplements to avoid any deficiency.Having a good peer support for emotional impact of celiac Disease.

Conclusion

As we know Celiac Disease is not curable but we can prevent it.We should stay calm and eat a balanced gluten free diet.Have regular health checkups and start the treatment as early as possible if the body shows early signs of Celiac Disease.