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Celiac Disease & Gluten Sensitivity
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Define celiac disease.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine, specifically the villi, which impairs nutrient absorption.
What is the treatment for celiac disease?
The primary treatment is a strict gluten-free diet, which helps heal the intestinal damage and alleviate symptoms.
What are the symptoms of celiac disease?
Symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, headaches, bone or joint pain, and chronic fatigue. The exact symptoms can vary from person to person.
What is gluten?
Gluten is a group of proteins found primarily in wheat, barley, and rye, which can trigger harmful reactions in individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities.
Differentiate between celiac disease and gluten sensitivity.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition with small intestine damage, while gluten sensitivity (non-celiac gluten sensitivity) causes similar symptoms without the autoimmune intestinal damage.
What is dermatitis herpetiformis?
Dermatitis herpetiformis is an itchy, blistering skin condition that can be a symptom of celiac disease. It is also treated with a gluten-free diet and sometimes medication.
Can celiac disease lead to other health issues if untreated?
Untreated celiac disease can lead to serious health complications like malnutrition, osteoporosis, neurological disorders, and increased risk of gastrointestinal cancers among others.
How is celiac disease diagnosed?
Diagnosis typically involves serologic tests for specific antibodies and an endoscopic biopsy of the small intestine to assess villi damage.
Why is it important to maintain a gluten-free diet even with no symptoms?
In celiac disease, gluten ingestion can cause intestinal damage and long-term complications even without symptoms. Adherence to a gluten-free diet is important to prevent these effects.
Is there a genetic component to celiac disease?
Yes, celiac disease has a genetic component and is more common in individuals with first-degree relatives who have the disease. HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 genes are associated with higher risk.
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