Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. It causes celiac disease, also called celiac sprue or gluten-sensitive enteropathy, which is an immune response to eating gluten. 

Eating gluten sets off an immunological reaction in your small intestine if you have celiac disease. This response wears down the lining of your small intestine over time and prevents some nutrients from being absorbed (malabsorption). Injury to the intestines often causes diarrhea, exhaustion, weight loss, bloating, and anemia, and it can have very bad results. 

Malabsorption in children can cause the same symptoms that adults have and can also slow their growth and development. 

Although there is no known treatment for celiac disease, most people find that adhering to a strict gluten-free diet can help control their symptoms and encourage intestinal recovery. 

SYMPTOMS 

Children and adults may experience different celiac disease signs and symptoms, which might vary substantially. Adults’ digestive warning signs and symptoms include: 

• Diarrhea 
• Fatigue 
• Loss of weight 
• Bloating and gas 
• Continent pain 
• Nausea and vomiting 
• Constipation 

The following signs and symptoms are present in more than 50% of adults with celiac disease but are not connected to the digestive system: 

• Anemia, mainly caused by a lack of iron, 
• Osteoporosis, a loss of bone density, or softening of the bone (osteomalacia) 
• A blistering, itchy skin rash (dermatitis herpetiformis) 
• Oral sores 
• Weariness and headaches 
• A damaged nervous system that may cause tingling and numbness in the hands and feet, balance issues, and cognitive decline 
• Aching joints 
• Decreased splenic function (hyposplenism) 

Children with celiac disease are more likely than adults to have digestive problems, such as: 

• Vomiting and nausea 
• Persistent diarrhea 
• Bloated abdomen 
• Constipation 
• Gas 
• Pale, pungent stools 

CAUSES 

The exact etiology of celiac disease is unknown, but it may be influenced by your genes, eating gluten-containing foods, and other factors. Practices used when feeding babies, gastrointestinal illnesses, and gut flora may also be involved. Celiac disease can sometimes flare up after surgery, pregnancy, giving birth, getting a virus, or being under a lot of mental stress. 

The fine, hair-like projections (villi) that line the small intestine are harmed when the immune system of the body overreacts to gluten in the diet. The vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients in the food you ingest are absorbed by the villus. Even if you eat a lot, if your villi are broken, you won’t be able to get enough nutrients. 

RISK FACTORS 

Those who are more susceptible to celiac disease are: 

• A family member suffering from herpes herpetiformis or celiac illness 
• Diabetes Type 1 
• Turner syndrome, Down syndrome 
• Autoimmune thyroiditis 
• Minuscule colitis (lymphocytic or collagenous colitis) 
• Addison’s illness 

DORAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS’S ROLE 

If you have digestive issues, the Doral Health and Wellness Gastroenterology Center can help you with cutting-edge equipment to diagnose your stomach diseases. There are courteous staff and a comfortable facility setting.

At Doral Health and Wellness, the experts can take care of your gut. Here are the services provided at Doral Health and Wellness 

• Colonoscopy
• Colon Cancer Screening
• Celiac Disease Treatment
• Sigmoidoscopy 
• Endoscopy

At Doral Health and Wellness, we have doctors who can help you manage your condition. For more information, you can visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, 11212, or call us on 1-347-384-5690 or 1-347-868-1016. You can also visit our website at https://doralhw.org or contact us at info@doralhw.org if you have any queries.