Cirrhosis

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder of the small bowel that occurs in genetically predisposed individuals in all age groups after early infancy. Symptoms may include diarrhea, failure to thrive and fatigue, but these may be absent and associated symptoms in all other organ systems have been described. It affects approximately 1% of Caucasian populations, though it is significantly underdiagnosed. A growing portion of diagnoses are being made in asymptomatic persons as a result of increasing screening.

Celiac disease is caused by a reaction to gliadin, a gluten protein found in wheat. Upon exposure to gliadin, the body's immune system cross-reacts with the enzyme tissue transglutaminase, causing an inflammatory reaction that leads to flattening of the lining of the small intestine, which interferes with the absorption of nutrients. The only effective treatment is a diet, lifelong in principle, from which gluten is absent.

The only treatment is a life-long gluten-free diet. At this time no medication will prevent damage, nor prevent the body from attacking the gut when gluten is present. The disease is controlled by strict adherence to a gluten-free diet, which allows the intestines to heal and resolves all symptoms in the vast majority of cases and, depending on how soon the diet is begun, can also eliminate the heightened risk of osteoporosis and intestinal cancer. Dietician input is generally requested to ensure the patient is aware which foods contain gluten, which foods are safe, and how to have a balanced diet despite the limitations. In many countries gluten-free products are available on prescription and may be reimbursed by health insurance plans. More manufacturers are producing gluten-free products, some of which are almost indistinguishable from their gluten-containing counterparts.

The diet can be cumbersome; while young children can be kept compliant by their parents, teenagers may wish to hide their problem or rebel against the dietary restrictions, risking relapse. Many food products contain traces of gluten even if apparently wheat-free. Gluten-free products are usually more expensive and harder to find than common wheat-containing foods.

Even while on a diet, health-related quality of life is decreased in people with celiac disease. Some have persisting digestive symptoms or dermatitis herpetiformis, mouth ulcers, osteoporosis and fractures. Symptoms suggestive of irritable bowel syndrome may be present, and there is an increased rate of anxiety, fatigue, dyspeptic and musculoskeletal pain.

...More at Wikipedia

Related Links:

• American Liver Foundation
• US National Library of Medicine
• Mayo Clinic

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