Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is a condition that affects the lining of the small intestine, which becomes damaged when a patient eats gluten and other proteins found in wheat, barley, rye, and in some cases, oats. Gluten is often used to make common foods, such as pasta, crackers, and bread. Patients with the disease often face other complications, such as an iron deficiency, anemia and osteoporosis. This happens because celiac disease affects the body’s ability to absorb the nutrients that your body requires to stay healthy.

Causes and Symptoms

The exact cause of celiac disease is unknown to doctors, who have pinpointed genetic factors that place some patients at a higher risk for the condition. For example, if a close family member has celiac disease, you have a higher chance of developing the condition. Celiac disease patients show symptoms when they eat foods or drink beverages made with glutinous ingredients, such as barley, bulgur, durum, farina, graham flour, rye, semolina, spelt and wheat.

• Bloating • Gas • Irregular bowel movements • Loss of weight • Tiredness • Weakness

Other complaints of the disease include abdominal pain, indigestion, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and lactose intolerance.