How to Treat Coeliac Disease?

What is Coeliac Disease?

Coeliac Disease, or Celiac Disease, is a chronic autoimmune disorder affecting the small intestine, triggered by the ingestion of gluten – a protein present in wheat, barley, and rye. When individuals with this condition consume gluten, their immune system attacks the small intestine, causing inflammation and damage to the intestinal lining. This impairs nutrient absorption, leading to various health issues. This inherited autoimmune disorder causes the body to react strongly to gluten, damaging the mucosa, the lining of the small intestine. This damage, in turn, hampers the effective absorption of nutrients from food, resulting in nutritional deficiencies.

Gluten is widespread in the standard Western diet, found in staple foods like bread, cereals, pasta, and baked goods made from wheat. Additionally, gluten can unexpectedly appear in various food products, including sauces, soups, and packaged foods, and even in beverages like beer, usually produced from barley or rye. This ubiquity underscores the challenges individuals with Coeliac Disease face in avoiding gluten and emphasizes the importance of awareness and vigilance in food choices.

Why is Coeliac Disease a Concern?

Coeliac Disease poses a significant concern due to its potential to cause a range of health problems. The damage to the small intestine can result in malabsorption of nutrients, leading to deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals. This can manifest in various ways, such as fatigue, anemia, osteoporosis, and even neurological disorders. Furthermore, untreated Coeliac Disease can increase the risk of developing other autoimmune disorders and certain types of cancer, emphasizing the importance of timely diagnosis and management.

How is Coeliac Disease Diagnosed?

Diagnosing Coeliac Disease involves a multi-step process. It typically begins with a thorough medical history and physical examination. Blood tests are then conducted to check for specific antibodies, such as anti-tissue transglutaminase (anti-tTG) and anti-endomysial antibodies (EMA), which are elevated in individuals with Coeliac Disease. If these tests suggest Coeliac Disease, a confirmatory step is an endoscopic biopsy of the small intestine. During the endoscopy, small tissue samples are taken from the lining of the small intestine to assess the extent of damage and inflammation.