Essay
Annierossi
celiacdisease.docxA Description of Celiac Disease
It is estimated that one person in one hundred suffers from celiac disease,
a genetic disorder that causes digestive problems. These problems occur
when gluten, a protein composite found in grains like wheat and barley,
is ingested. The symptoms of celiac disease can range from irritability and
abdominal pain to severe weight loss and fatigue. Also called celiac sprue,
non-tropical sprue, gluten-sensitive enteropathy, and coeliac disease, the
disease can cause serious damage that ranges from malnutrition to cancer.
I have been suffering celiac symptoms, so I am interested in this disease.
Doctors currently don’t know exactly what causes the disease, but they do
understand that people who have the disease have an overreaction to gluten
in food, and it needs to be diagnosed and controlled.
Diagnosing celiac disease can be difficult because many of the
symptoms are similar to other diseases like Crohn’s, anemia, or irritable bowel
syndrome. The obvious symptoms of celiac disease are abdominal pain and
bloating. Other less obvious symptoms can be mouth blisters, joint irritation,
and painful nerve damage. More serious symptoms include weight loss,
1
2
continued
lan36275_ch08_182-202.indd 184 06/12/12 10:43 AM Chapter 8 Description 185
Copyright © 2014 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
stunted growth, and osteoporosis. These symptoms result from what is
physically occurring within the small intestine. The small intestine is lined with
tiny finger-like projections called villi, and the villi are covered with microvilli,
which look like tendrils. The villi and microvilli increase the surface space
within the intestines, thus increasing absorption of nutrients. Celiac disease
destroys the villi and obstructs nutrient absorption. Without the villi, nutrients
like vitamins and protein are not absorbed and are quickly eliminated, often
resulting in painful diarrhea.
A blood test to screen for transglutaminase antibody (tTG) is the primary
test used to screen for celiac. Several other tests, like a total immunoglobulin
A test or the anti-giadan antibody, may be ordered if the tTG test is positive
for celiac disease. These tests will be positive in celiac sufferers because their
bodies see gluten as an enemy substance and produce elevated levels of
antibodies to fight the substance. If blood tests are positive, doctors will often
test a sample of the small intestine to check for damaged villi. Some doctors
may have patients swallow a camera pill to examine the entire small intestine.
Proper diagnosis of celiac disease often requires several tests and procedures.
There is currently no cure for celiac disease, but it can be effectively
managed through a rigid diet. Any foods that contain gluten must be avoided.
This includes barley, bulgur, durum, farina, graham flour, rye, semolina, spelt,
triticale, and wheat. Most gluten is found in food, but people diagnosed
with celiac disease should also be aware of medicines, vitamins, and lip
balms that may contain gluten. Once a person has started on a gluten-free
diet, the body will begin to recover. The inflammation within the intestine will
subside within several weeks. Full healing and regrowth of the villi may take
as long as two to three years.Trace amounts of gluten can be damaging, so
it is important that once a person is diagnosed with celiac he or she avoid all
forms of gluten.
It is believed that as many as two million people are currently
undiagnosed with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. It is imperative that
doctors understand this disease and do not disregard patients who complain
of symptoms of the disease. Doctors need to listen to the patients’ complaints
and administer the proper tests. Since there is currently no medication to
help heal patients, it is crucial that doctors diagnose patients before serious
