Celiac Disease: The Basics

Celiac Disease: the basics
Compiled for educational use by
April Sherman
Email: aceliac@live.com

What is “Celiac Disease”?
A genetic disease in children and adults
Reaction to the food protein gluten
Body attacks itself, auto-immune reaction
Destroys the villi, the lining of the small intestine
Scars the intestine and causes sickness
No cure or medication
Only treatment option: completely gluten-free lifestyle.

http://journals.prous.com/journals/dof/20073209/html/df320823/images/fig01.gif
Cross-sections of the villi, which line the small intestine.
Normal lining of the small bowel, versus the damaged lining.

What are the symptoms?
diarrhea
weight loss
abdominal pain
chronic fatigue
weakness
malnutrition
In children
failure to thrive
irritability
diarrhea and bloating
osteoporosis
arthritis and joint pain
anemia
infertility
frequent miscarriage
chronic fatigue syndrome
depression
behavioral changes

How is celiac disease diagnosed?
Blood tests
Check for anti-body levels in the blood
Called a “celiac panel”
Endoscopy and biopsy of the small intestine
Final diagnosis based on biopsy before starting a gluten-free diet
Can be diagnosed even if there are no symptoms

Gluten-Free Lifestyle
All food, cosmetics, bath products, medications must be gluten-free
No wheat-based ingredients
Not processed around wheat, barley, or rye
Contamination causes reaction
Even small amounts of gluten in food will affect a celiac
Contamination examples
eating a piece of fruit that was served on a plate which previously held bread
inhaling and swallowing air-borne wheat flour at a bakery

Who has celiac disease?
3 million Americans
97% un-diagnosed
1 in 133 have celiac disease
More common than “Crohn’sdisease, ulceric colitis and cystic fibrosis combined”
Commonly mis-diagnosed as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, IBS
Relatives of celiacs are much more likely to have celiac disease!!!

What if I think I have celiac disease?
Talk to your family doctor
Identify your symptoms, if any
Ask for a “celiac panel” blood test
Ask if you should see a gastroenterologist
Find a dietitian in your area, or ask for a referral
You are at higher risk of celiac disease if:
A relative has celiac disease
Family history of auto-immune disorders
Northern European descent, Caucasian

Awareness, Education, Support
Support friends/relatives with celiac disease
Grocery shop with them
Eat out and order gluten-free
Ask about their experiences
Educate yourself & friends
Share educational brochures and websites
Attend lectures and meetings about celiac disease
Help support celiac disease research
Participate in fundraising events
Donate to celiac research foundations

THANK YOU!
Sources:
The University of Maryland Center for Celiac Research http://medschool.umaryland.edu/celiac/faq.asp
The University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center Fact Sheet http://www.celiacdisease.net/assets/pdf/CDCFactSheets%20FactsFigures%20v3.pdf
Contact: aceliac@live.com

Celiac Disease: The Basics

by April on Nov 05, 2009

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