About Celiac Disease

Celiac disease damages the small intestine andmalodorous flatulence, and increased amounts of
decreases the body's ability to absorb nutrientsfat in the stool.
from certain foods. Sufferers cannot tolerateThe treatment of celiac disease involves no
gluten; a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley.surgery or medication. The afflicted person simply
A decreased absorption of nutrients can lead toeliminates the ingestion of gluten from their diet.
other serious illness and damage your bones, liver,While this will not be as easy as it sounds,
vital organs, and even your brain.because gluten is probably present in a number of
Celiac disease is generally inherited. If someone inyour favorite foods, it is not a difficult or costly
your family suffered from this disease, there is aremedy.
10% chance that other family members willWith changes in diet, a sufferer can soon be
develop celiac disease, as well. You can have afeeling much healthier. Such an increase in good
tendency toward celiac disease for years withouthealth should be a motivation to continue a strong
ever becoming sick. This disease can be triggeredgluten-free diet. This disease results in an
by incidents of stress, injury, infection, childbirth,inflammation of the small bowel. Gluten is the
or surgery.cause for such inflammation. Fortunately,
This disease is difficult to diagnose because itsremoving gluten from the diet allows the small
symptoms can vary widely from person tobowel to heal and return to normal.
person. Some with celiac disease will havePersons suffering from this disease will need to
abdominal and digestive symptoms like pain,maintain a gluten-free diet for the remainder of
diarrhea, or constipation. Others may simplytheir lives. While removing gluten from your food
become depressed and irritable. Some carriersintake will allow the bowel to heal, returning gluten
suffer no symptoms of the disease whatsoever.to your menu will cause you to sicken and suffer
A decreased absorption of fat is the mostall over again.
common result of celiac disease, although it canThe only option for good health in people suffering
affect the body's ability to absorb proteins andfrom celiac disease is a permanent and total
carbohydrates as well. Most of the commonchange of diet.
symptoms of this disease are caused by aNote: This article is for informational purposes only
person's decreased ability to absorb fat. Some ofand is not intended to be a substitute for
these symptoms are diarrhea, abdominal bloating,professional medical advice.