Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Cause and Symptoms of Celiac Disease

By Moses Wright

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes damage to the small intestines. As the small intestines become more damaged, the person gradually loses the ability to absorb nutrients by the small intestines.

Other names for celiac disease are celiac sprue, nontropical sprue, and gluten sensitive enteropathy. When the person with select disease eats gluten, the immune system reacts by attacking the cells of the small intestines.

Celiac disease can cause chronic diarrhea, constipation, recurrent abdominal pain, fatigue, and unexplained changes in weight. Irritability and depression can be caused by celiac disease. In children, celiac disease can cause growth delays.

Celiac disease can cause anemia and vitamin K deficiencies. Missed menstrual periods, infertility in women and men, and miscarriages can be caused by celiac disease.

The mouth can be affected by celiac disease. This condition can cause canker sores, discoloration of the teeth, and loss of tooth enamel.

The symptoms of celiac disease can be severe or the person may have no symptoms. The substance that triggers the damage to the small intestines, gluten, is a protein that is present in rye, wheat, and barley.

Celiac disease is typically diagnosed during childhood or early adolescence, but this disease may go undetected for quite some time. Occasionally, someone only in adulthood will be diagnosed even though the disease was likely present for a number of years.

There is a hereditary cause for celiac disease. Genetic testing can identify a persons risk of celiac disease.

Doctors may perform a blood test to confirm the diagnosis of celiac disease.A small bowel biopsy may be done to check for inflammation and damage associated with celiac disease.

While there is no cure for celiac disease, people with this disorder commonly follow a gluten-free diet to minimize the damage to the small intestines.

It is crucial for people with celiac disease to recognize products that contain gluten. Some things that include gluten are frozen french fries, some medication, and some adhesives on tapes and stamps.

Someone with celiac disease may also have their allergies and intolerances. It is not uncommon for people with celiac disease to have lactose intolerance, food allergies, or a sensitivity to mold.

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