What Is Celiac Disease?

Celiac disease is an immune system disorder. It happens when there is a reaction in the small intestine to gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, barely and other grains. This reaction damages the small intestine. Left untreated, the body can't absorb nutrients from food. This can lead to malnutrition and other health problems.

Celiac disease is also called celiac sprue or gluten-sensitive enteropathy.

Symptoms may include:

• Stomach cramps
• Gas
• Bloating
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Fatty stools
• Anemia
• Weight loss with large appetite
• Weight gain

These symptoms appear in only about 10 percent of people with celiac disease.

Confusing symptoms
One out of 133 people in the U.S. has celiac disease. It has many different symptoms and can mimic other bowel disorders. It may also show up through:

• Dental enamel defects
• Osteopenia (low bone density)
• Osteoporosis (decreased bone strength)
• Bone or joint pain
• Fatigue
• Infertility
• Depression

Infants, toddlers and children with the disease often have growth problems, vomiting, bloating and behavior changes.

How is it diagnosed?
People with celiac disease have higher levels of certain antibodies in their blood. A simple test for these antibodies can now help with the diagnosis, but further testing may be needed to confirm it.

Who gets it?
The cause of celiac disease is unknown. It seems to run in families. Five percent to 15 percent of the children and siblings of a person with the disease will also have it. Family members with any immune system disease are 25 percent more likely to have celiac disease. Ask your doctor if you or family members should be tested.

Celiac disease may appear at any point in a person's life. It can be triggered by surgery, a virus, severe stress, pregnancy or childbirth.

Treatment for celiac disease
If you have celiac disease, you'll be placed on a gluten-free diet. Most people see improvement within three to six days. In children and teens, the bowel may return to normal within three to six months. It may take longer in adults or symptoms may not completely go away, depending on how much damage was done.

Celiac disease is a lifelong condition. A gluten-free diet is a must. This diet can be hard to follow, although food choices are always increasing. Work with a dietitian, who can help you stick to your diet and find satisfying alternatives to gluten.

The need for awareness about gluten and other ingredients in foods led to a new federal law in 2004. The law is called the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act. It requires food companies to list the top eight allergens on their product labels. It also requires the FDA to set rules for using the term "gluten-free" on product labels.

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External Sources Celiac Disease Foundation. Celiac disease. Accessed May 10, 2007. Celiac Disease Foundation. What happens with celiac disease. Accessed May 10, 2007. Celiac Disease Foundation. Cause. Accessed May 10, 2007. Celiac Disease Foundation. Symptoms. Accessed May 10, 2007. Celiac Disease Foundation. Diagnosis. Accessed May 10, 2007. Celiac Disease Foundation. Treatment. Accessed May 10, 2007. Celiac Disease Foundation. Advocacy. Accessed May 10, 2007. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, National Institutes of Health. The celiac disease awareness campaign. Accessed May 10, 2007. Celiac Sprue Association. Symptoms of celiac disease. Accessed May 10, 2007.

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