Gastrointestinal tract diseases are common among both adults and children. These include various eating disorders, inflammation of the organs (gastritis, enteritis, cholecystitis), surgical pathologies (appendicitis, inversion of the intestines). In addition to the known diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, there are also less common - ailments associated with enzyme deficiency. An example is celiac disease. Symptoms and causes of gluten intolerance have been studied for a long time, but have not yet been fully elucidated. In most cases, parents first encounter this disease, since its manifestations begin already from infancy. Despite the serious consequences that can develop due to celiac disease, with the right approach, pathology is not considered a sentence.
Gluten intolerance - what is it?
Gluten protein is found in many foods. A large concentration of this substance is present in wheat and other crops. As a result, dishes containing these components lead to the development of characteristic symptoms in people suffering from celiac disease. Information about a similar pathology appeared in ancient times. Then this ailment was called "intestinal disease." In the 17th century, celiac disease began to be actively studied. Similar manifestations have been described in young children. It was only in the middle of the 20th century that it became known that the disease caused the use of gluten protein.
Intolerance, the symptoms of which are different in children and adults, resembles the clinical picture of chronic intestinal infections, enterocolitis, pancreatitis. Previously it was believed that such an ailment is rare (1 person per 3 thousand of the population). It has now been proven that pathology is more common. On average, from 0.5 to 1% of the population worldwide suffers from celiac disease. Nevertheless, not every patient has a pronounced intolerance to gluten. Symptoms of "latent celiac disease" differ from acute forms.
Causes of Gluten Intolerance
The disease "celiac disease" (celiac enteropathy) is manifested in individuals with enzyme deficiency. The exact causes of this defect have not been established. However, there are several theories for the development of celiac disease.
First of all, this is the genetic justification of the pathology. Normally, the enzyme gliadinaminopeptidase is present in the intestine. If it is excreted in small quantities or completely absent, celiac disease develops. At the same time, protein is not completely digested - gluten. As a result, one of its fractions is harmful to the body. Namely, it damages the walls of the small intestine, leading to atrophy. Based on this, the main factor in the occurrence of celiac disease is the body’s rejection of gluten protein, intolerance. Symptoms with severe enzyme deficiency appear in the first year of a baby's life. If this protein is still digested, but slowly, the first clinical signs of pathology may occur later (in childhood and even adulthood).
In addition, there is another theory of the development of the disease. According to her, the cause of celiac disease lies in the pathological reaction of the immune system to gluten. Intolerance (symptoms depend on the age and severity of the disease) occurs due to an inadequate reaction of the intestinal mucosa to this protein. Scientists are inclined to believe that the cause of the disease is the combined effect of several factors.
Gluten intolerance: symptoms in infants, how do they manifest?
The clinical picture observed with gluten intolerance can be varied. That is why the symptoms of pathology are often associated with other ailments. As a result, adequate treatment for celiac disease is not performed in many patients. The first sign of which enzyme deficiency can be suspected is foamy loose stools with a fetid odor. This symptom is usually observed in infants after the introduction of complementary foods (cereals). Other manifestations of celiac disease in young children include:
- Oily sheen of feces, diarrhea. During washing, baby clothes are difficult to wash.
- Bulging belly. This symptom can be observed with other pathologies (for example, with rickets). Therefore, it is not specific and is taken into account only if there are other signs.
- Slow weight gain. This should alert parents if this symptom develops after the introduction of complementary foods.
- Manifestations of atopic dermatitis: rashes on the skin of the face, peeling.
- Muscle hypotension.
Given the fact that such a clinical picture is characteristic of many pathologies, parents should pay attention to changes in the state of the baby after eating, and also find out whether there are similar symptoms in relatives. After all, a genetic predisposition is crucial in the development of celiac disease.
Gluten protein: intolerance (symptoms in children)
If in the first years of life a child did not eat foods containing gluten, then manifestations of celiac disease may occur later. In addition, due to frequent digestive problems in infants, doctors and parents do not always associate the first signs of the disease with the true cause - celiac disease. In these cases, the detection of pathology is delayed for several months and even years. How to suspect gluten intolerance? Symptoms in children are as follows:
- Growth lag. This symptom develops after 2 years.
- Characteristic appearance: large belly and thin lower limbs.
- Chronic anemia
- Frequent history of fractures (bone weakness).
- Uneven posture.
- Dry skin and hair.
- Fragility of nails.
- Dermatitis.
- Fatigue.
- Lethargy or, on the contrary, a manifestation of aggression.
- Tearfulness.
In addition to the listed symptoms, the main symptom of the disease is preserved - enterocolitis. It can take place constantly or occasionally - after ingestion of food containing gluten. The main manifestations of enterocolitis are diarrhea (up to 5 times a day) and abdominal pain.
Symptoms of Gluten Intolerance in Adults
In rare cases, the first signs of the disease occur in adulthood. In this case, the pathology has an atypical or latent course. The sudden onset of celiac disease is probably associated with a change in the nature of nutrition, exposure to adverse factors (if the person had a predisposition to the disease). The signs of the latent form of this pathology differ from typical manifestations. How to understand that gluten intolerance has occurred in adults? Symptoms are listed below:
- Manifestations of the nervous system. These include migraine, mood swings (episodes of depression, irritability).
- Dental problems. Adult celiac disease is often accompanied by aphthous stomatitis, tooth enamel damage, and atrophic glossitis.
- Skin manifestations are dermatitis.
- Joint pain, not associated with other pathologies.
- Nephropathy
- Problems with conception.
In most cases, in adults there is a combination of a typical clinical picture (enterocolitis) and extraintestinal manifestations. With a latent form, the disease can make itself felt only occasionally.
Diagnostic criteria for celiac disease
What symptoms of gluten intolerance make it possible to suspect pathology? Most often, the assumption that the patient has developed celiac disease appears after the exclusion of other diseases of the digestive tract. An accurate diagnosis can be made through an immunological study. Antibodies to gliadin, reticulin and endomysium are determined in the blood. With a positive result, an intestinal biopsy is performed .
Gluten Intolerance Complications
Following a diet allows you to live a normal life, despite the diagnosis of celiac disease. Symptoms of gluten intolerance are dangerous if no measures are taken. Improper nutrition in this disease can lead to complications. Most often they occur with a long asymptomatic course of pathology. Among them, development is highlighted:
- Cancer of the digestive tract.
- Autoimmune pathologies (hepatitis, thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma).
- Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
- Myasthenia gravis
- Pericarditis.
Gluten Intolerance Diet
In order for the signs of celiac disease to disappear, it is necessary to exclude products containing gluten from the diet. Among them: confectionery and flour products (bread, pasta), sausages, sausages. It should also be excluded some varieties of cereals (semolina, barley, oatmeal). In addition, it is recommended not to eat mayonnaise, ice cream, sauces, beer, coffee, canned food. The diet of a person suffering from celiac disease should include the following products:
- Fruits and vegetables.
- Beans (beans, peas).
- Milk products.
- The eggs.
- Fish and meat.
- Chocolate.
- Cereals: millet, corn and buckwheat.
Treatment of celiac disease in children and adults
With gluten intolerance in infants, a nursing mother must follow a diet. Gluten-free cereals and casein mixtures are given as food for children. In some cases, symptomatic therapy is required. For this purpose, enzyme preparations "Creon", "Pancreatin" are prescribed. It is also recommended to use probiotics (Linex, Bifiform medicines). To get rid of diarrhea, a decoction of oak bark is prescribed, preparations "Imodium", "Smecta". Before you buy a medication, you need to pay attention to its composition. Some medicines contain gluten.