Celiac Disease: Know the Signs, Understand the Cause, Live Gluten-Free

Have you ever felt bloated, had frequent gas, stomach pain, loose motions, constipation, or unexplained tiredness and simply blamed it on “something I ate”?

Sometimes these symptoms may be harmless or related to common digestive problems. But in some people, they can be signs of celiac disease, a condition that many people may not recognize.Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that affects the small intestine. It is also known as gluten-sensitive enteropathy. It occurs when a person's immune system reacts abnormally to gluten, a protein found mainly in wheat, barley, and rye.

What is Gluten?

Gluten is a group of proteins found mainly in wheat, barley, and rye.

When a person with celiac disease eats gluten, their immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the small intestine. This damages tiny finger-like structures called villi.

Villi help the intestine absorb nutrients from food. When they become damaged, the body may not absorb enough iron, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, calories, and other nutrients.

This can lead to problems such as anemia, weakness, nutritional deficiencies, and poor bone health. In some people, prolonged malabsorption may contribute to low bone density and osteoporosis.

With celiac disease, eating gluten triggers an immune reaction that damages the lining of the small intestine. As a result, the intestine may not be able to absorb nutrients as efficiently as it should. This is known as malabsorption.

Celiac disease can affect the absorption or nutritional status of several other nutrients, including folate, magnesium, zinc, and vitamins A, E, and K. The extent varies from person to person and is often related to how much intestinal damage is present.

What Are the Symptoms?

It may vary and mimic other digestive disorders like IBS.

Celiac disease does not look the same in everyone. Some people have obvious digestive symptoms, while others may have very mild symptoms or no noticeable symptoms at all.

(1). Digestive symptoms (more common in kids)

Bloating ,gas, Constipation, greasy foul smelling stools, nausea, Vomiting ,Weight loss.

(2).Non digestive symptoms-(common in adults)-Iron deficiency anemia ,Bone joints issue, Mouth ulcers, Reproductive problems.

(3).Neurological Symptoms-

Gluten can trigger auto immune response that directly impacts the central and peripheral nervous symptoms-Numbness, tingling or burning sensation of hands and feats; severe brain fog ,migrain, headache ,depression.

(4). Children specific signs-

(a). Inability to gain weight

(b). Poor growth and development

(c).Swollenprotuding abdomen

(d).Anemia,Pale skin

Is Celiac Disease the Same as Wheat Allergy?

No. These conditions are different.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease in which eating gluten causes the immune system to damage the small intestine.

Wheat allergy is an allergic reaction to wheat proteins and can cause symptoms such as hives, swelling, vomiting, or breathing difficulties.

Blood diagnosed in Celiac disease-

The commonly used blood tests include:

tTG-IgA (tissue transglutaminase IgA) – usually the main initial blood test.

Total IgA – helps identify IgA deficiency, which can affect the accuracy of IgA-based tests.

EMA-IgA (endomysial antibody) – a highly specific test that may be used to support the diagnosis.

DGP antibodies – may be useful in selected situations, including some young children and people with IgA deficiency.

People should not diagnose themselves or start a strict gluten-free diet simply because they have bloating or stomach problems. Several other conditions can cause similar symptoms.

Treatment: A Lifelong Gluten-Free Diet

The main treatment for confirmed celiac disease is a strict, lifelong gluten-free diet.

Even a small amount of gluten can cause intestinal damage in someone with celiac disease, even if that person does not experience symptoms.

GLUTEN FREE FOODS	NON GLUTEN FREE FOODS
RICE	WHEAT AND WHEAT FLOUR ATTA
CORN	MAIDA
MILLETS LIKE RAGI,BAJRA AND JOWAR	SEMOLINA/SUJI/RAVA
PULSES LIKE CHCKPEAS,RAJMA AND BEANS	REGULAR BREAD
EGG, FRESH CHICKEN AND FRESH MEATS	BISCUIT AND COOKIES
MILK , CURD AND PANEER	CAKES AND PASTERIES
NUTS AND SEEDS	REGULAR PASTA AND NOODLES
BUTTER AND COOKING OIL	CHAPPATI AND ROTI MADE OF WHEAT
PEANUT BUTTER	NAAN
BESAN	POORI AND BHATURA
FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES	PARANTHA MADE OF WHEAT
	BARLEY(JAU)
	RYE
	BEER
	BREADED MEATS
	PIZZAS MADE WITH WHEAT
	SAMOSA AND MATHRIS MADE WITH WHEAT
	WHEAT BASED BREAKFAST CEREALS
	SOME PACKAGES SOUPS,SAUCES, GRAVIES AND READY TO EAT FOOD ITEMS