| Although coeliac disease can be diagnosed at a | | | | via the stomach. A small sample of the bowel |
| very early age, it is often diagnosed in babies | | | | lining is removed for testing. |
| after weaning, but symptoms are all too often so | | | | The sample will be examined for any damage to |
| subtle that the conditions can go undiagnosed for | | | | the villi - minute finger-like projections that help |
| many years. Coeliac disease can affect a person | | | | absorb vitamins and nutrients. |
| at any age. | | | | Treatment |
| Coeliac disease is a condition affecting the bowel | | | | Coeliac disease is not a condition that can be |
| (small intestine), and is a lifelong affliction. Gluten, | | | | removed, but the damage caused by gluten can |
| which is contained in wheat, barley, and rye, | | | | be reversed by adhering to a strict gluten free |
| causes the immune system to produce antibodies | | | | diet. Any body diagnosed as coeliac should consult |
| that attack the lining of the bowl. This in turn | | | | an expert dietician for advice. |
| affect a coeliac's ability to absorb the vitamins and | | | | It may also be necessary to supplement your diet |
| nutrients of the food they eat. | | | | with iron tablets, calcium and folic acid. More |
| Coeliac disease can lead to bone disease and | | | | severe conditions may also be treated with the |
| anaemia, and possibly even cancer if left | | | | use of steroids, although this is quite rare. |
| untreated. The only answer for coeliacs is to | | | | As a gluten free diet is low in fibre, it is |
| avoid any foods or drinks that contain gluten. | | | | recommended that plenty of fruit and vegetables |
| It wasn't long ago that it was thought that coeliac | | | | are eaten to counteract this. |
| disease affected 1 in 2,000 people in the UK. | | | | A Gluten Free Diet |
| Recently, more accurate diagnosis puts this figure | | | | Avoid foods such as bread, pasta, breakfast |
| at 1 in 300, possibly even higher. In Ireland this | | | | cereals, biscuits, cakes and pastries unless they |
| figure is estimated to be around 1 in 100. | | | | are specifically labelled as gluten free. The same |
| Symptoms | | | | goes for some tinned sauces and soups as well |
| The symptoms of coeliac disease are varied and | | | | as mayonnaise, mustard, soy sauce and malt |
| differ between young children and adults. They | | | | vinegar. |
| can include poor appetite, inability to gain weight, | | | | Many snack foods and fried foods (including the oil |
| irritability, swollen stomach, pale stools, vomiting | | | | they are cooked in) may also contain gluten. |
| and diarrhoea in children. Adult symptoms include | | | | Spirits and beers made from grain can also |
| constipation, abdominal bloating, weight loss and | | | | contain gluten, although wine and cider are usually |
| offensive diarrhoea. | | | | gluten free. |
| Many adults not showing these bowel symptoms | | | | Some oats may also contain a small amount of |
| have been diagnosed after complaining of such | | | | gluten or have been cross-contaminated by other |
| symptoms as depression, over-tiredness, mouth | | | | grains, and so are best avoided. |
| ulcers, skin rashes or bone pains. | | | | Safe foods include fruit, vegetables, salads, rice, |
| Diagnosis | | | | maize and nuts as well as chicken, red meats, |
| Following blood tests for anaemia and the | | | | fish, eggs and dairy products. |
| antibodies associated with coeliac disease, a GP will | | | | There is also a growing number of specialist food |
| arrange for an endoscopy test and biopsy. This | | | | suppliers providing a wide range of gluten free |
| involves a tiny camera on the end of a tube being | | | | food and drinks that are completely safe. A gluten |
| guided down the oesophagus and into the bowel | | | | free diet and still be full of flavour! |