The cause of celiac disease is unknown. However, researchers have found that people afflicted with this disease all have problems within the lining of the intestines. The small structures called villi, which are housed there, help absorb nutrients. The villi are damaged when people with celiac disease …show more content…
People who have celiac disease commonly have: autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, sjogren's syndrome, addison's disease, down syndrome, intestinal cancer, intestinal lymphoma, lactose intolerance, thyroid disease, and type 1 diabetes. Research shows that approximately one percent of Americans have celiac disease and aren’t aware. Symptoms of celiac disease may be different for an individual, which makes diagnosis challenging. One person might have constipation, the next may have diarrhea, and the last one might have no problem with stools. The gastrointestinal symptoms include: abdominal pain, bloating, gas, indigestion, constipation, decreased increased or unchanged appetite, diarrhea, lactose intolerance, nausea, vomiting, stools that are foul smelling, oily, and/or stick to the toilet when flushed, and unexplained weight loss. Symptoms that develop over time include: easy bruising, depression, anxiety, fatigue, growth delay in children, hair loss, itchy …show more content…
You must read food and drug labels carefully to look for ingredients that may include grains such as wheat, barley, rye and possibly oats. It may be hard to stick to a gluten- free diet because wheat and barley are commonly in the American diet. Over time, most people are able to adapt and get better. You should not begin the diet if you believe you have celiacs disease and haven't be properly diagnosed. Starting the diet will affect the testing for the disease. Your healthcare provider may prescribe vitamin and mineral supplements to correct nutritional deficiencies. Short-term use of corticosteroids like prednisone may be needed. In most cases, following well-balanced, gluten-free diet is the only treatment needed to stay well. When diagnosed, get help from a registered dietitian who specializes in celiac disease and gluten-free diet. A support group may also help you cope with the disease and diet. Following a gluten-free diet heals the damage to the intestines and prevents further damage. Healing most often occurs within 3 to 6 months in children and may take 2 to 3 years for adults. Some problems cause by celiac disease may not improve, such as shorter than expected height and damage to the