Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder in which the body reacts abnormally to gluten, that is, creating antibodies that attack the body itself.

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. When consuming foods derived from these ingredients, the immune system attacks part of the intestine, resulting in poor nutrient absorption, diarrhea, and other problems.

Learn what the symptoms are, how celiac disease is diagnosed, the treatment, and what is myth about this condition.

What are the symptoms of celiac disease?

The development of celiac disease can occur already in childhood, however, adults can also manifest the disease throughout life.

The symptoms are related to damage to the intestinal wall, caused by the attack of autoantibodies. These damages cause poor intestinal absorption, which can lead to symptoms such as:

• anemia;
• low nutrient absorption;
• chronic diarrhea;
• abdominal pain;
• lack of appetite;
• swelling in the belly;
• osteoporosis;
• weight loss and malnutrition.

How is the diagnosis made?

The diagnosis of celiac disease is made by a gastroenterologist, who performs a clinical examination to analyze the symptoms and a biopsy of the intestine through upper endoscopy.

Blood tests for the search of autoantibodies are also necessary for diagnostic confirmation. In some cases, genetic tests are also performed.

How is the treatment done?

Celiac disease has no cure. Being an autoimmune disease, the best treatment consists of a total gluten restriction.

By excluding this protein from the diet, the patient will notice that the symptoms disappear. Clearly, it is not an easy approach, and people usually have a lot of difficulty living with dietary restrictions.

However, since there is no cure, celiac disease directly depends on diet to be kept under control. The diet must be followed rigorously by the patient for the rest of their life.

Important: if not treated, celiac disease can lead to serious health problems, such as malnutrition, infertility, and even neoplasms such as lymphoma.

Gluten-free diet

Patients are advised by the doctor about the appropriate diet to contain the symptoms. In addition, a series of precautions must be taken to avoid the risk of cross-contamination when preparing food.

During the first months of treatment, the doctor may consider restricting the consumption of milk and derivatives to observe if the patient also suffers from lactose intolerance, which is often secondary to intestinal damage.

The doctor may also recommend that the patient seek help from a specialized nutritionist to assist in dietary adaptations.

Important: the patient with celiac disease needs to get used to reading the labels of industrialized foods. The brands themselves write a warning to those intolerant to gluten and lactose.

Attention to labels!

Federal Law No. 10.674 of 2003 ensures that all industrialized foods must mandatorily inform the presence or absence of gluten on their labels to guarantee the right to health of people with celiac disease.

Myths about celiac disease

There are still several myths surrounding celiac disease, the main ones being:

Celiac disease is a food allergy

There is confusion regarding celiac disease. Many people consider it a food allergy, but it is a much more complicated condition.

On one hand, a food allergy consists of a reaction of the body to the consumption of a certain food, occurring soon after its consumption, with symptoms such as shortness of breath and skin rashes.

Celiac disease, on the other hand, can progress slowly and silently, with mild symptoms that become increasingly pronounced until the patient realizes something is wrong with the body.

Only digestive symptoms are caused by celiac disease

Here is another common mistake regarding the understanding of the disease. Although the most classic symptoms are pains in the abdomen, nausea, gas, diarrhea, and weight loss, celiac disease can cause other problems not related to the digestive system, such as:

• mood changes;
• anemia;
• fatigue;
• dermatitis herpetiformis;
• joint pain;
• tingling in the hands and feet;
• lesions in the mouth;
• irregular menstruation;
• growth problems (in children).

Celiac disease is not serious

Celiac disease, like any autoimmune disease, can cause serious complications if not properly treated. Some of these complications involve:

• neoplasms such as lymphoma;
• malnutrition;
• infertility and spontaneous abortion;
• osteoporosis;
• neurological problems.

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Diverticulitis is a condition characterized by the inflammation of intestinal diverticula. Understand this problem and clear your doubts in this article developed by the EndoBlog team.

Diverticula are like small pouches that project out from the lining of the intestine.

The propensity to develop diverticula occurs as a person ages. Approximately, one-third of the population over 50 and two-thirds over 80 develop the condition.

See more at: Intestinal Diverticula: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Important: the mere presence of diverticula in the intestine corresponds to a condition called diverticulosis. When they become inflamed, they are diagnosed with diverticulitis.

What are the symptoms of diverticulitis?

Most patients with intestinal diverticula do not present symptoms of diverticulitis. The diverticula alone do not cause symptoms and are diagnosed by exams done to analyze some other abnormality in the intestine.

However, sometimes, a diverticulum can become inflamed and cause symptoms, such as:

• abdominal pain, mainly in the lower left side of the belly, which can be constant and persist for many days;
• chills;
• nausea, nausea, and vomiting;
• fever;
• loss of appetite;
• periods of constipation or diarrhea;
• blood in the stool, in some cases.

How is diverticulitis treated?

In milder cases of diverticulitis, treatment involves a balanced, more liquid diet, as well as the prescription of antibiotics and painkillers. In some cases, when, for example, the pain is very intense and there are signs of widespread infection, hospitalization is necessary for the application of intravenous antibiotics and clinical management.

If the patient does not respond well to preliminary treatment, there are two approaches: drainage of abscesses, through percutaneous puncture, or surgery to remove the portion of the intestine affected by diverticula. The alternatives for procedures depend on the severity of the condition, and in cases of intestinal perforation, emergency surgery must be performed.

Important: diverticulitis is a condition that tends to have frequent recurrences, so surgery may be necessary after recurrent episodes.

Is it possible to prevent diverticulitis crises?

Although there are no completely effective measures to prevent crises, some things can be done to help, for example:

• drink plenty of water;
• perform physical exercises as recommended by the doctor;
• observe possible changes in bowel function. Constant diarrhea or constipation requires a consultation with the doctor;
• follow the treatment as directed by the doctor, which includes changes in eating habits;
• after recovering from a crisis, it is necessary to have a lighter diet, with foods rich in fiber, such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables;
• the recommendation to avoid foods with seeds is controversial, as scientific studies cannot prove this direct relationship. However, it is prudent to avoid the following foods: popcorn kernels, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, and nuts, as they can cause pain by getting trapped in diverticula.

Important: cucumber seeds, tomato, zucchini, raspberries, strawberries, and poppy seeds are usually harmless for those suffering from diverticulitis.

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What is Gastrostomy?

Gastrostomy is a medical procedure in which an opening is created in the stomach to allow direct feeding. It is usually indicated when an individual is unable to feed properly through the mouth due to swallowing problems or other medical conditions.

How does it occur?

During the procedure, an opening is created in the abdomen and stomach, through which a feeding tube is inserted. This tube is then connected to a feeding bag or a feeding pump to provide the necessary nutrients directly into the stomach.

When is it necessary?

Gastrostomy is indicated in situations where the patient is unable to feed adequately through the mouth or has difficulties in the swallowing process. Some of the common reasons for performing gastrostomy include:

• Neuromuscular disorders, such as cerebral palsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or stroke, which can compromise the ability to swallow.
• Injuries or diseases that affect the gastrointestinal tract, such as esophageal cancer, esophageal stenosis, or esophageal fistulas.
• Severe malnutrition or significant weight loss due to medical conditions.
• Individuals with head and neck cancer who are undergoing treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and who may have difficulty feeding normally.
• Patients with eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, who cannot ingest an adequate amount of nutrients orally.

How is the procedure done?

Gastrostomy can be performed by different methods, depending on the patient’s needs. Some of the common methods include:

• Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG): In this procedure, a tube is inserted into the stomach through the abdominal wall using endoscopic guidance. It is a minimally invasive technique and widely used.
• Surgical gastrostomy: In more complex cases, a surgical approach may be necessary to create the opening in the stomach and insert the feeding tube.

What are the necessary care after gastrostomy?

After performing gastrostomy, it is essential to follow medical guidelines to ensure proper care of the tube and prevent complications. Some common care includes:

• Proper cleaning and hygiene of the area around the tube.
• Correct administration of medications and feeding through the tube, according to medical instructions.
• Regular monitoring of the tube’s position and functioning, as well as possible signs of infection or complications.
• Regular medical follow-up to assess the effectiveness of the procedure and make any necessary adjustments.

It is crucial that patients and caregivers receive detailed instructions on how to administer feeding and perform proper maintenance of the gastrostomy tube.

Gastrostomy is a procedure that can significantly improve the quality of life and nutrition of patients who are unable to feed adequately through the mouth. It is important that the decision to perform gastrostomy is made in conjunction with a specialized medical team, considering the benefits and possible complications of the procedure.

It is important to emphasize that gastrostomy is an invasive procedure and should be performed by qualified health professionals. Each case is unique, and treatment should be individualized according to the needs and conditions of the patient.