Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease with many different symptoms and effects. (“Celiac Disease.” 2). People with celiac disease are very likely to have health problems when wheat, or gluten is eaten. (Davis, William 88). This disease is “…twice as common as Crohn’s disease, ulceric colitis and cystic fibrosis combined.” (“Center for Celiac” 1). People with celiac disease have a hard time digesting gluten so they have to be especially carful when eating almost anything. (Fennessey, Geri A. 2). Another name for celiac disease is coeliac disease or celiac spur. (“Celiac Disease” 1). Many people who have do not have a good understanding to celiac disease think that this disease is just and allergy to gluten, but celiac disease is an autoimmune
Dicke. (Davis, William 76). Dr. Dicke found this disease when “…food shortages toward the end of World War II, bread became scarce and Dicke witnessed improvements of celiac symptoms in children, only to witness deterioration when Swedish relief planes dropped bread into the Netherlands.” (Davis, William 76). “…Dr. Dicke…firmed that the gluten of wheat, barley, and rye was the source of the life-threatening struggles.” (Davis, William 76). As time progresses celiac disease is being seen more often because the disease is known, there is a greater exposure to gluten, mothers are breast feeding more often, better blood tests, more ways to diagnose, and earlier diagnoses. (Davis, William 78,
(Davis, William 77). Some of the common symptoms are chronic diarrhea/constipation, abdominal pain/bloating, fatigue, irritability, and in children growth problems. (“Learn about the” 2). Other not so common symptoms are osteoporosis, joint pain, short stature, skin lesions, epilepsy, dementia, schizophrenia, and seizure. (Fassano, Alessio 3). Because the villi flatten and are unable to absorb essential nutrients for the body, malnourishment is a common problem. (Robinson, Jennifer 2). “Some people have anemia and vitamin deficiencies because of mal-absorption. They don’t absorb all the nutrient because of the damage in the small bowel.” (Gholipour, Bahar 2). Seven to nine percent of celiac disease patients have acid reflux which is when stomach acid goes up the esophagus and dissolves it. (Davis, William 93). Celiac disease is sometimes mistaken as irritable bowel syndrome because of the common symptoms these two conditions share. (Loftus, Conner and Joseph A. Murray 2). Although this is true, around fifty-five percent of patients with celiac disease do have irritable bowel syndrome. (Davis, William 93). Irritable bowel syndrome is recognized by cramping, abdominal pain, and diarrhea or loose stools alternating with constipation. (Davis, William 93). Even though many people experience at least some symptoms, some patients have latent celiac disease which is when they