We’ve often seen “gluten-free”
food items in groceries or commercials, and not all of us know why some people
cannot take gluten or try to avoid gluten.
This is due to celiac
disease - an autoimmune disorder of the small intestine that occurs in
genetically predisposed people of all ages.
Celiac disease is caused by a reaction to gliadin, a gluten protein found in
wheat, and similar proteins found in triticeae
crops which include other common grains such as barley and rye.
Upon exposure to gliadin, the enzyme tissue transglutaminase modifies the protein,
and the immune system reacts with the small-bowel tissue, causing an
inflammatory reaction.
Symptoms
- Digestive problems (abdominal bloating, pain, gas, diarrhea, pale stools, and weight loss)
- Iron deficiency anemia (low blood count) and other vitamin deficiencies
- Fatigue
- Muscle cramps, joint and bone pain
- Growth problems and failure to thrive (in children)
- Seizures
- Tingling sensation in the legs (caused by nerve damage and low calcium)
- Aphthous ulcers (sores in the mouth)
- Missed menstrual periods
- A severe skin rash called dermatitis herpetiformis
Diagnosis
If your doctor
suspects you have celiac disease, he or she will perform a careful physical
exam and will discuss your medical history with you. He or she may also perform
a blood test to measure for higher levels of certain types of antibodies
(substances produced by the immune system to fight harmful invaders) found in
people with celiac disease.
Your doctor may
perform other tests to detect nutritional deficiencies, such as a blood test to
see if your iron levels are low. A stool sample may also be tested to detect
fat in the stool, since celiac disease prevents fat from being absorbed from
food.
Treatment
The only known effective treatment is a
lifelong gluten-free diet. While the disease is caused by a reaction to wheat
proteins, it is not the same as wheat allergy.