Drugs, Causes, Symptoms, etc.
Definition of celiac disease
Celiac disease (celiac disease) is a reaction of the immune system attacking the digestive system in which the body mistakenly recognizes the compounds contained in gluten as a threat.
Gluten is a type of protein that is often found in whole grains, such as rye.
When you experience celiac disease, consumption of foods containing gluten can trigger an immune system response to attack the healthy tissue in the small intestine.
If left untreated, this condition can damage the lining of the intestine which later interferes with the absorption of essential nutrients in the body (malabsorption). As a result, you may be more prone to serious digestive disorders and complications.
How common is this condition?
Celiac disease is a common disease and can occur to anyone, especially in Western European societies. About 1 in 100 people, which is about 1 percent, suffer from this indigestion.
This disease cannot be cured, but can be controlled by following a gluten-free diet as recommended by a doctor.
Signs and symptoms of celiac disease
Celiac disease can trigger a number of symptoms associated with digestive ailments, including:
- diarrhea,
- Liquid and semi-solid bowel movements,
- flatulence and gas,
- stomach ache,
- nausea and vomiting,
- constipation, and
- fatigue and weight loss.
Apart from symptoms related to digestive problems, there are a number of other conditions that characterize celiac disease, namely:
- anemia due to iron deficiency,
- osteoporosis or osteomalacia (softening of the bones),
- headache or dizziness,
- tingling or numbness in the feet and hands,
- disturbed body balance,
- joint pain,
- decreased spleen function (hyposplenism), as well
- rash on the skin around the elbows, chest, knees, scalp, and buttocks.
What about the symptoms of celiac disease in children?
Basically, the symptoms of celiac disease in children are not much different from those in adults, including:
- nausea and vomiting,
- diarrhea or constipation accompanied by swelling of the stomach, and
- pale, foul-smelling stools.
Over time, the symptoms of indigestion in children can interfere with growth. This condition can also lead to tooth decay, delayed puberty, and other health problems.
When to see a doctor?
If you experience signs of digestive problems for more than two weeks, consult a doctor immediately. Your doctor can help you find out the cause and determine the treatment for celiac disease.
Causes and risk factors
What causes celiac disease?
So far, it has not been found what causes celiac disease. However, some experts argue that there are various factors associated with this disease, such as the immune system, genetics, and environmental factors.
When the immune system overreacts to gluten in food, this reaction can damage the fine hairs that line the small intestine (villi).
Villi function to absorb vitamins, minerals and other nutrients in food.
If the villi are damaged, the body doesn’t get enough nutrients, which can lead to nutritional deficiencies.
What increases the risk of getting this disease?
Although the exact cause of celiac disease is not known, there are certain groups that are more susceptible to this disease.
Several factors that can increase a person’s risk of celiac disease include:
Diagnosis and treatment
How to diagnose this condition?
In addition to asking about your symptoms and medical history, your doctor will also recommend you to undergo a number of examinations, such as:
- blood test to check for antibodies that are produced in response to gluten,
- endoscopy to diagnose diseases other than celiac,
- genetic testing for human leukocyte antigens (HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8), and
- X-ray (small bowel series).
What are the ways to treat celiac disease?
Celiac disease is an incurable disease. That is why the doctor will provide treatment aimed at reducing the symptoms of celiac disease.
In addition, treatment is also carried out to prevent inflammation of the intestine from getting worse. Here are some celiac disease treatments recommended by doctors.
Gluten free diet
Celiac disease patients will certainly be asked to undergo a gluten-free diet. The reason is, gluten is the cause of your body’s immune system response to trigger a number of symptoms, whether related to digestive problems or not.
Some of the foods that need to be avoided while on a gluten-free diet include:
- all types of wheat, including rye,
- potato starch, and
- semolina
Apart from food, you are also asked to be careful when using hygiene and cosmetic products.
This is because some products sometimes contain gluten, so you need to read the label first before using it.
It would be a good idea to consult a doctor or nutritionist regarding a gluten-free diet as a celiac disease treatment.
Taking medication
Not only undergoing a diet, the doctor will also prescribe certain drugs to relieve symptoms being experienced, such as:
- medications for colitis, namely azathioprine or budesonide,
- dermatitis herpetiformis drug, namely dapsone, or
- supplements and vitamins to prevent nutritional deficiencies.
Routinely consult a doctor
Routine consultation with a doctor is part of celiac disease treatment that needs to be done. This is because doctors need to monitor the immune system’s response with blood tests.
For most people with celiac disease, a gluten-free diet can help restore the small intestine. When children need 3-6 months to recover, adults take several years so that their intestines are not inflamed.
If you continue to have symptoms or come back, an endoscopic examination with a biopsy may be needed. This aims to see whether the intestinal inflammation has healed or not.
Home remedies for celiac disease
In addition to getting treatment from a doctor, you also need to change your lifestyle so that you can carry out your daily activities without being bothered by this disease, as below.
- Consult a dietitian or nutritionist to plan a gluten free diet.
- Follow a gluten-free diet to improve your health.
- Call a doctor if symptoms do not improve within 3 weeks of starting a diet.
- See a doctor if the fever increases.
- Join support group if you are interested in studying this disease.
If you have further questions, please contact your doctor to get the right solution.
Hello Health Group and Hello Sehat do not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please check our editorial policy page for more detailed information.
