Understanding Celiac Disease: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

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Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that affects the small intestine. Discover the symptoms, causes, and treatments in this complete guide.

Being a complex health problem that affects an increasing number of people worldwide, it always requires a careful and informed approach.

So, what exactly is celiac disease? It is a condition in which the immune system, which normally protects our body against unwanted invaders, reacts abnormally to gluten, a protein found in foods such as wheat, barley, and rye.

This reaction triggers an inflammatory response in the small intestine, causing a series of uncomfortable and harmful symptoms.

But don’t worry, understanding celiac disease has advanced significantly in recent years.

Today, we have a better understanding of its causes and treatment options. Medical and nutritional monitoring makes a big difference in helping patients live a healthy and full life, even with this disease.

Prepare to understand more deeply about the details of celiac disease and discover the characteristics of its symptoms, causes, and treatments.

Also learn how to identify the disease, which foods to avoid, and how to adopt a healthy and balanced diet.

Remember that knowledge is the key to facing any health challenge and, armed with the correct information, you can learn to live well with celiac disease.

What is celiac disease?

Celiac disease is a chronic disorder of the immune system triggered by the ingestion of gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye.

This condition affects about 1% of the world’s population and can manifest at any age.

When a person with celiac disease consumes foods containing gluten, the immune system reacts abnormally, gradually damaging the villi of the small intestine.

These villi are responsible for the proper absorption of essential nutrients from food.

As a result, the person may suffer from nutritional deficiencies, in addition to a series of varied symptoms that affect the body as a whole.

Although celiac disease has no cure, by avoiding foods with wheat, barley, and rye, it is possible to control the symptoms and allow the small intestine to gradually recover.

It is important to emphasize that the complete exclusion of gluten is essential, as even small amounts can trigger significant damage to the body.

Moreover, it is essential that people with celiac disease are followed by health professionals, such as dietitians specialized in gluten-free diet, to ensure a balanced and adequate diet.

This condition also requires attention regarding possible cross-contaminations in restaurants and in processed products, since traces of gluten can trigger the symptoms of the disease that you will know better later.

Even though celiac disease affects the quality of life of those who have it, with proper medical follow-up and a proper diet it is possible to lead a healthy and full life, avoiding long-term complications and enjoying a balanced and tasty diet, free of gluten.

What are the symptoms of celiac disease?

The symptoms of celiac disease can vary significantly from one person to another, making the diagnosis often challenging.

Some individuals may present classic symptoms, while others may have more subtle symptoms or even be asymptomatic.

The most common symptoms of celiac disease include gastrointestinal problems, such as:

1- Chronic diarrhea;

2- Constipation;

3- Flatulence;

4- Abdominal distension;

5- Abdominal pain.

However, other symptoms can also occur outside the gastrointestinal tract, such as unexplained weight loss, fatigue, weakness, anemia, irritability, depression, growth problems in children, and osteoporosis in adults.

And more, celiac disease can cause a series of less common symptoms, such as headaches, tingling in the hands and feet, coordination problems, seizures, infertility, recurrent miscarriage, and skin lesions, such as itchy rashes or blisters.

It is worth noting that the symptoms of celiac disease can vary widely and not all people present the same signs.

In addition, some individuals may develop celiac disease later in life, after years of gluten tolerance.

That’s why it’s crucial to be alert: if you suspect you may have celiac disease, you need to seek medical guidance to make a diagnosis, as the appropriate treatment, which consists of a gluten-free diet, can relieve symptoms and prevent long-term complications.

What causes celiac disease?

It is believed that the disease is triggered by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Genes play a crucial role in the development of celiac disease.

People with certain genetic variants have a higher predisposition to develop the condition.

However, not all people with these genetic variants develop the disease, which indicates that other factors are also involved.

Exposure to gluten is a key environmental factor in the development of celiac disease.

When genetically predisposed people consume foods containing gluten, the immune system reacts abnormally, triggering an inflammatory response in the small intestine.

This leads to the deterioration of the intestinal mucosa, impairing the absorption of essential nutrients.

Besides genetic factors and exposure to gluten, other elements can influence the development of celiac disease.

Viral infections, such as gastroenteritis, during childhood, can trigger the disease in genetically susceptible people.

Breastfeeding can also play a protective role, as exclusive breastfeeding for a prolonged period can reduce the risk of the disease appearing.

How is the disease diagnosed?

The diagnosis of celiac disease requires a multidisciplinary approach, involving the patient’s clinical history, laboratory tests, and specific tests.

Initially, the doctor will perform a thorough analysis of the symptoms and medical history of the patient, taking into account the presence of signs such as chronic diarrhea, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, abdominal pains, and nutritional deficiencies.

These indications may suggest the need to investigate celiac disease.

Laboratory tests are essential to assist in the diagnosis.

The blood test, for example, checks for the presence of specific antibodies (antigliadin, antitransglutaminase, and antiendomysium antibodies) that are produced by the immune system in response to exposure to gluten.

If these antibodies are elevated, it is an indication of the possibility of celiac disease.

To confirm the diagnosis, it is necessary to perform a biopsy of the small intestine.

During this procedure, small tissue samples are collected from the duodenum during a digestive endoscopy, for microscopic analysis.

The results reveal characteristic changes, such as flattening of the intestinal villi, which occur as a result of the autoimmune reaction triggered by gluten.

What is the treatment for celiac disease?

The treatment for this condition consists of adopting a gluten-free diet, completely eliminating foods that contain this substance.

The gluten-free diet involves the exclusion of breads, pastas, cakes, cookies, and processed foods that may contain any traces of gluten.

Read food labels carefully, as gluten can be present in less obvious ingredients, such as sauces, seasonings, and even some medications. Participating in a Celiac disease association also helps, as they already have a database on many industrialized foods that contain or do not contain gluten, facilitating the most appropriate choice.

To ensure correct nutrition, it is recommended to seek guidance from a dietitian specialized in celiac disease.

Vitamin supplements may be indicated to prevent nutritional deficiencies, especially of iron, calcium, and B complex vitamins.

And along with the diet, it is essential to maintain regular medical follow-up to monitor the evolution of the disease and nutritional status.

Conclusion

In summary, celiac disease is a serious condition that requires care and special attention to diet.

With the correct diagnosis and strict adherence to a gluten-free diet, symptoms can be controlled and affected people can lead a healthy and active life.

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