Causes Of Celiac Disease

Celiac disease affects approximately 1-2% of the general population1 and is a serious genetic autoimmune disease that attacks any gluten that enters the body and intern damages the villi and mucosa in the small intestine, which affects absorption of nutrients from food1,2. This damage to the small intestine can lead to malnutrition1,2. Gluten is a protein that is found in barley, wheat, oats and rye1,2. Since gluten is in many foods, this disease will greatly affect people’s diets, and lead to changes and greater awareness of eating habits, and lifestyle2.
Celiac disease has a strong genetic component and many links to the environment but mostly the etiology remains unknown1,2. Having the HLA-DQ2 gene, which is found in 90% of diagnosed patients
This leaves up to 83% of people with the disease mis- or undiagnosed. The fist step in diagnosing celiac disease is a series of blood tests to see the bloods reaction to gluten, which include: total IgA, IgA-tTG, IgA-EMA, if IgA is deficient, it is recommended that the IgG/IgA-DGP test also be ordered. If the doctor chooses the IgG-AGA test can also be ordered2. If these tests suggest that celiac disease is present the doctors will most likely order and endoscopy and take a biopsy of the small intestines to confirm the diagnosis2. It is advised to not go completely gluten free before getting tested and diagnosed2. This could alter the results of the tests and impair accuracy of the
Patients who have been diagnosed must completely avoid wheat, barley, and rye2. A complete change in diet is not easy or efficient2. Therefore, it is important that the patient is surrounded with a stable support system in order to make the lifestyle change easier to accomplish and sustain2. Today there are many alternatives for gluten such as potato and bean flower, making the transition a bit easier2. Dapsone is a drug that can be prescribed to patients who presented with a rash, but will not do anything to help the damage and inflammation in the