Trivia: Celiac Disease

October is Celiac Disease Awareness Month. Here is some information about celiac disease (CD):

What is CD?

It is a genetic, autoimmune disease. Individuals with CD cannot tolerate gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. So when people with the condition eat products containing gluten, their immune system reacts by damaging the small intestine. The disease interferes with the absorption of nutrients from food.

What are the symptoms of CD?

CD affects people differently. For example, one person may experience abdominal pain, another may experience irritability – indeed, this is the most common symptom in children. Some people actually experience no symptoms. In general, the amount of intestinal damage that has occurred and the length of time nutrient absorption has been abnormal seem to be determining factors in the type and severity of symptoms a person experiences.

How is CD diagnosed?

As explained by the Celiac Sprue Association, three major steps are taken: "First, a thorough physical examination is conducted, including a series of blood tests, sometimes referred to as the Celiac Blood Panel. Second, a duodenal biopsy is performed with multiple samples from multiple locations in the small intestine. And third, the gluten-free diet is implemented. When the patient shows a positive response to the diet – symptoms subside and the small intestine returns to its normal, healthy state – the diagnosis of CD is confirmed."

The blood tests measure for the levels of Immunoglobulin A (IgA), anti-tissue transglutaminase (tTGA), and IgA anti-endomysium antibodies (AEA).

How is CD treated?

By living gluten-free! What does this mean? Avoid all products containing wheat, rye, and barley, which means most grain, pasta, cereal, and many processed foods. However, gluten-free products are increasingly available, and forms of flour other than wheat flour (e.g., rice, corn, buckwheat) can be used.

How many people in North America have CD?

For more information, see:

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