Celiac Disease

Celiac disease refers to a digestive disorder that occurs when breads, wheat, pasta, and other products made with gluten cause irritation to the small intestine. If left undiagnosed or untreated, celiac disease can lead to serious issues with other areas of the body, including the bones, nervous system, and even the brain. Celiac disease is on the rise throughout the country. Once an uncommon disorder among Americans, unfortunately, celiac disease is becoming much more prevalent. According to recent statistics, more than two million people in the United States suffer with celiac disease, and more are being diagnosed every day. In fact, it is thought that celiac disease may even be more prevalent than statistics show, since the disease's symptoms so often mimic those of other digestive disorders and diseases. Here is information on the warning signs, symptoms, causes, and treatments of celiac disease. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of this disease, it is important that you consult a GI doctor for diagnosis and, if necessary, treatment.

'Sprue,' or more commonly, celiac disease, is a digestive disorder characterized by irritation from consumption of gluten products. Gluten is pretty much what it sounds like; it's glue, or more precisely, an adhesive included in some foods. It's a mixture of plant proteins contained in many of the grains we eat every day, including wheat, barley, rye, and corn. The damage to the digestive system caused by celiac disease includes lack of vital nutrients in the body due to malabsorption, which can lead to serious problems with other areas of the body. The cause of celiac disease is yet unknown; however, GI doctors in Flushing do know that celiac disease can cause serious damage to the structures within the intestines (intestinal villi) that allow nutrient absorption. Those who suffer from this disease are intolerant to any products made from gluten.

With the rise of many Internet sites that allow self diagnosis, many people today may think they have diagnosed, and therefore, solved their celiac disease. It's tempting to go on the Internet and diagnose your digestive problems, to then eliminate foods that contain gluten, and then to think you are keeping your celiac disease at bay. However, the problem with that is that foods are not the only things that can contain gluten. Gluten is an extremely prolific ingredient used in manufacturing of many products that we in America consume each day. In fact, many vitamins, medications, and even cosmetics such as lip balms and lipsticks contain gluten. For this reason, it is vital that anyone who suffers from the symptoms of celiac disease see a GI doctor as soon as possible to be diagnosed and properly treated.

The most common symptoms of celiac disease include indigestion, abdominal pain and bloating, gas, changes in appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and intolerance to milk products, foul-smelling stools, oily stools, and unexplained or unintentional weight loss. Some of the more uncommon symptoms of celiac disease may include anxiety, depression, lethargy or fatigue, hair loss, easy bruising, mouth sores, missed menstrual periods, itchy skin, nosebleeds, tingling or numbness in feet or hands, and even seizures. Children's symptoms can be significant, including such serious effects as delayed growth, delayed puberty, irritability, poor weight gain, shorter-than-normal height for age, and changes in tooth color or tooth enamel defects.

Once tested for and diagnosed with celiac disease, it is vital that patients receive necessary treatments in order to arrest the disease from progressing into more serious complications. Treatments for the disease can relieve or sometimes eliminate symptoms. Naturally, the first line of treatment and defense is to eliminate all products that contain gluten in order to prevent damage to intestinal villi. Additionally, a patient who is diagnosed with celiac disease should read all food, drug, and vitamin ingredient labels in order avoid gluten. Your GI doctor may recommend that you see a registered nutritionist in order to set up and learn to follow the proper diet.

If your symptoms continue or even get worse without being diagnosed and treated, they can lead to serious health complications. These can include autoimmune disorders, thyroid disease, diabetes, and even digestive cancers. Contact a qualified GI doctor for more information, testing, and treatment of your symptoms of celiac disease.