Celiac Disease and Gluten

Celiac disease and gluten are directly related to each other. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder in which the body mistakenly reacts to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, as if it were poison. It affects one in 100 people, although most are undiagnosed. When celiac patients consume gluten, the immune system responds by destroying the part of the small intestine that absorbs important and beneficial nutrients.

The list of symptoms associated with celiac disease covers the entire body, including gas, bloating, diarrhea, weight loss or gain, abdominal pain, persistent tiredness or weakness, headaches, depression unresponsive to medication, bone pain, and anemia. For children, symptoms include growth retardation, short stature, swollen abdomen, tooth enamel defects and unusual behavioral changes. The nervous system may also be affected by the disease.

The only treatment for celiac disease is to follow a gluten-free diet. When gluten is removed from the diet, the small intestine heals and a full return to health can be expected. Long-term complications of undiagnosed celiac disease include malnutrition, lymphoma, osteoporosis, neurological complications, and miscarriage.

In patients with unresponsive celiac disease, symptoms persist even after following a gluten-free diet for six to 12 months or returning after a long period of wellness.

Individuals with celiac disease need to be mindful of hidden gluten sources, ingredients, and cross-contamination in food products. Careful label reading is important each time you purchase a product.

Someone with celiac disease may consume gluten-containing foods from time to time, regardless of whether they are transitioning to a gluten-free diet. As long as it is not continuous, this situation does not pose much risk. If you have celiac disease or know someone who has it, you know that eating gluten-free can be difficult. It requires educating oneself about gluten-containing foods, watching for hidden gluten in food products and medications, and giving up certain foods that one might enjoy.

We know that things like grocery shopping or eating out at a restaurant can be difficult! When dining out, you need to be extremely careful when purchasing gluten-free bread because foods that have come into contact with gluten-containing foods can cross-contaminate and cause problems.