Those who know the word "celiac disease", usually know the word "gluten". Celiac disease is an aggravated sensitivity to gluten, and so pronounced that products containing this component directly threaten health. In general, this disease is considered autoimmune, in which the intestines are primarily affected.
At what age does celiac disease begin to manifest? Symptoms can occur at any age and in people of any gender. The disease does not choose, so everyone needs to know the signs of the disease . After all, no one is safe from him. Perhaps the tendency to celiac disease simply hid for the time being.
This disease is confused with others, often with food allergies. With a deficiency of the lactase enzyme or a common food allergy. Gluten, which causes all clinical manifestations, is found in many cereals and cereals. Especially a lot of it in wheat, barley, rye. Recent studies say that oatmeal in an amount of not more than 50 g per day can be consumed by patients with celiac disease.
How is celiac disease manifested? Symptoms may not only be related to the digestive system. The patient develops antibodies to gluten, as a result of which the lining of the small intestine is destroyed by its own cells. And this provokes the remaining symptoms.
As a result of intestinal damage by antibodies, the digestion of fats is disrupted. As a result, diarrhea appears, sometimes even fecal incontinence, if a person ate a lot of fatty foods the day before. The stool contains a lot of fat. Bloating appears, accompanied by flatulence. Diarrhea occurs due to the fact that fat is still broken down, but not in the duodenum, but further, with the help of gastrointestinal bacteria. The resulting fatty acids in the large intestine cause water to enter the intestine, which makes possible the occurrence of diarrhea induced by fat.
The absorption of milk sugar is also impaired. As a result, symptoms of lactase deficiency may appear, which may mislead an inexperienced doctor. Problems arise because the villi of the small intestine are destroyed, on which the necessary enzymes are located. Therefore, if milk intolerance suddenly develops, it may not be lactase at all. And abdominal pain, diarrhea and flatulence can be explained by the fact that intestinal bacteria got to your lactose. The situation is similar to that described in the previous paragraph. The difference is that bacteria themselves form methane and hydrogen when lactose is decomposed. Which makes the smell of gases especially unpleasant. In this case, the stool does not sink in the water.
What else causes celiac disease? Symptoms of celiac disease, in addition, include unreasonable weight loss. A person seems to be eating enough, but losing weight. Although in many patients with celiac disease, a brutal appetite develops as compensation. Weight loss is often masked due to fluid retention. Due to a decrease in the absorption of protein, protein in the blood becomes less, protein-free edema occurs. And weight loss can be imperceptible.
The symptoms of celiac disease are rather vague, so it is not always easy to identify. It is also often accompanied by anemia, osteoporosis, fragility of blood vessels, infertility and muscle weakness.
The most accurate diagnostic method is an immunological blood test (for antibodies to gluten).
Is celiac disease treated? Diet helps eliminate all the symptoms of the disease. In fact, it’s not so difficult to live without gluten. Cereals (except rice) should be avoided, for sweet tooth there are special bars in which gluten is not included.
In fact, celiac disease treatment is straightforward. It’s only psychologically difficult - why shouldn’t I what others can? It is not easy to explain this to a child. It must be remembered that the state of your health depends only on your discipline. Allow slack - and all manifestations will return. Be strong if you are still diagnosed with celiac disease.