When people are finally diagnosed with this condition, they are usually very familiar with it. However, for family and friends who don’t know what it is, celiac disease affects the digestive tract. The condition is specifically triggered by eating foods that contain the protein gluten. Gluten intake can cause deficits in the absorption of vitamins, minerals and other necessary nutrients. People with the disease will have to follow a rigid diet for life. Unfortunately, there is no treatment that cures celiac disease and any claim of a cure should be viewed with caution and skepticism. The disease is also known as celiac disease or gluten-sensitive enteropathy.

This disease affects people of any age. Both children and adults can develop the disease. Essentially it is an autoimmune disorder that targets the digestive tract. Anyone with the disease should refrain from eating gluten-rich foods as cereals, bread, pasta, pizza dough and even cookies can trigger an outbreak. Foods made from wheat, barley, or rye are the most likely sources of gluten, so they should be avoided. If gluten is eaten anyway, the small intestine soon has a reaction that causes damage to its inner lining.

This damage also limits the small intestine’s ability to absorb nutrients, leading to other problems. Since the body begins to lose its ability to process the necessary nutrients, other diseases can easily arise. This threat of nutritional deficiency is even greater in children who have the disease. Children with the disease manifest symptoms such as slow growth, a tendency to vomit, a swollen abdomen, and changes in behavior. Adults may experience fatigue, missed menstrual periods, canker sores, recurrent bloating or gas, chronic diarrhea or constipation, unexplained weight loss or gain, vitamin K deficiencies, and tooth discoloration or loss of enamel.

Although the exact cause of celiac disease has not been determined, it is known to be passed from parent to child. If an immediate family member has it, the chances are between 5 and 15 percent that you too can develop the disease. Symptoms can start at any age, but are usually caused by gluten entering the diet. However, in some cases, the disease has been known to develop after traumatic events such as extreme stress, infection, or childbirth. The first appearance of the disease is completely unpredictable. Because of this, you should immediately talk to your doctor about any potential abnormalities or symptoms. As with most diseases, the earlier they are diagnosed, the better chance you have of fighting them effectively. You should also be aware that there are often misdiagnoses of celiac disease or confusion of celiac disease with other diseases, as well as reports that the disease goes undiagnosed for long periods.

Because the symptoms are not so obvious, celiac disease can easily be mistaken for some common allergic reactions. The disease can cause a variety of symptoms that could have other causes as well. Some examples are stomach ulcers, mouth sores, skin rashes, anemia, intermittent diarrhea, upset stomach, bloating, joint discomfort, and some abdominal pain. However, to further complicate matters, sometimes people do not show any digestive symptoms at all. However, even without apparent digestive upset, people with celiac disease can experience weight loss, diarrhea, abdominal pain, foul-smelling stools, and osteoporosis.

Exactly why gluten damages the intestinal lining is still unknown. For a time it was thought that the disease only affected Europeans, but several recent studies have shown that celiac disease can affect anyone regardless of their ethnic origin. In the United States, one in 133 people has this disease. Although research suggests that the disease may have genetic origins, commonalities between patients have yet to be discovered.

Although there is no cure for this disease, there are ways to combat it. First, and most important, is a change to a gluten-free diet. Gluten must be absolutely avoided to have any hope of preventing inflammation of the small intestine. Some examples of foods to put on the do not eat list are breads, cereals, crackers, pasta, cookies, cakes and pies, juices, and sauces, unless they are gluten-free. Also important on a gluten-free diet is the consumption of adequate amounts of fresh meat, fish and poultry, dairy products, fruits and, of course, vegetables. Once a person has made these changes, they will discover that their diet options are not as limited as first thought. Excellent substitutes for wheat products can be found in rice and potato based foods. Nutritional supplements must also be taken regularly to compensate for malnutrition caused by the disease.

Every day can be difficult, especially for those who have been recently diagnosed. But, over time, however, managing celiacs will become second nature. To effectively cope with the disease, it is important to talk to other people with the same condition who know what you are going through. Recruiting family and friends as central support is also important and can serve as a lifeline during especially difficult periods. The fight is for life and should not be done alone.