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Celiac Disease: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the treatment for Celiac disease?

The only treatment is a gluten-free diet – a diet which does not include gluten of any kind, gluten found in wheat and related grains like barley, rye, spelt, kamut and triticale.
There is no prescriptive drug celiacs can take to effect a cure. In fact, there is no cure, though there is every opportunity for celiacs to lead normal, healthy lives by following a diet that contains no gluten. This means avoiding all products derived from wheat, rye, barley, oats, and a few other lesser-known grains. Extra vitamins may be taken, if necessary, but the only way for a celiac to avoid damage to their intestinal villi and the associated symptoms, is by maintaining a gluten-free diet.
There are no drugs to treat Celiac Disease and there is no cure. But celiacs can lead normal, healthy lives by following a gluten free diet. This means avoiding all products derived from wheat, rye, and barley.

What is Celiac Disease?

Celiac Disease is a life-long inflammatory condition of the gastro-intestinal tract that affects the small intestine in genetically susceptible individuals. Gluten damages the lining of the small intestine, reducing its ability to absorb adequate nutrients from food, resulting in illness which may resemble malnutrition, The treatment for Celiac Disease is a strict gluten-free diet for life. For more information on Celiac Disease click the Web site link provided. ...
Celiac Disease, also known as gluten intolerance, is a genetic disorder that affects up to 1-in-150 Americans. Those affected suffer damage to their intestines when they eat specific food-grain antigens found in wheat, rye, and barley. Wheat, in particular, is prominent in the American diet. Many times it is a hidden ingredient and presents a serious lifestyle challenge to those with this disease. Fantastic Foods makes numerous wheat gluten-free products. ...
Celiac disease is a an autoimmune disorder that causes damage to the small intestine, which can lead to malabsorption of nutrients. A genetic intolerance to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley, triggers this destructive reaction of the immune system. Common resulting complications of celiac disease in adults include reduced bone density (osteopenia and osteoporosis), anemia, increased risk of other autoimmune disorders and malignancies, infertility and neurological problems ( read more ).
A condition in which there is a chronic reaction to certain protein chains, commonly referred to as gluten, found in some cereal grains. This reaction causes destruction of the villi in the small intestine, with resulting malabsorption of nutrients.
Source: www.chop.edu
Celiac disease is an intolerance to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. If you have celiac disease, eating foods that contain gluten can damage the lining of your small intestines. This damage can limit your body's ability to absorb nutrients leading to nutritional deficiencies and disease. For example, many people with celiac disease develop iron deficiency anemia and osteoporosis because they are unable to absorb iron and calcium normally.

How common is celiac disease?

Originally considered a rare disease of childhood, celiac disease is now recognized as a common condition that may be diagnosed at any age. Recent studies have revealed an estimated average worldwide prevalence of 1 in 266 and a prevalence of 1 in 133 in the United States. This establishes celiac disease as one of the most common genetically based diseases that physicians will encounter. Because of lack of awareness, celiac disease is still vastly under diagnosed in the U.S. ...
The incidence of celiac disease in the general population can vary from country to country, but could be as high as 1 in 150. For more information regarding statistical research on celiac disease, see the Research Data On Celiac Disease and Gluten Intolerance page.
Around 1 in 100 people have celiac disease. However, four out of five people don't know they have it and are at increased risk of developing osteoporosis, infertility and cancer.
Nearly one out of every 133 Americans suffer from Celiac Disease, according to a new study by the University of Maryland Center for Celiac Research in Baltimore. The research indicates that celiac is twice as common as Crohn's disease, ulceric colitis and cystic fibrosis combined.
Data on the prevalence of celiac disease is spotty. In Italy about 1 in 250 people, and in Ireland about 1 in 300 people, have celiac disease. Recent studies have shown that it may be more common in Africa, South America, and Asia than previously believed. Until recently, celiac disease was thought to be uncommon in the United States. However, studies have shown that celiac disease is very common. Recent findings estimate about 2 million people in the United States have celiac disease, or about 1 in 133 people. ...

Is there a cure for celiac disease?

There is currently no treatment for celiac disease apart from a strict, lifelong gluten-free diet. A number of studies are underway at Columbia University and other research centers examining the mechanisms by which gluten causes damage to the intestine. It is only through research into the way that the immune system causes the intestinal damage that innovative therapies, apart from a gluten-free diet, will be devised.

What are the symptoms of celiac disease?

The vast majority of individuals with celiac disease have little in the way of gastrointestinal symptoms or have symptoms that may receive a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome. While the classical symptoms include diarrhea, weight loss and edema, other patients may present with constipation, anemia, bone pain or bone loss, chronic fatigue, skin problems, abnormal liver chemistries, dental enamel defects and neurological symptoms such as peripheral neuropathy, ataxia or seizures. ...
Symptoms are varied and can easily be confused with other disorders such as wheat intolerance or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Typical symptoms can include: Tiredness Constipation Nausea Weight Loss Bloating Anaemia Diarrhoea Wind Vomiting Mouth Ulcers
Symptoms of Celiac Disease include diarrhea, weight loss, abdominal pain, chronic fatigue, weakness, malnutrition, and other gastrointestinal problems. In children, the symptoms may include failure to thrive (an inability to grow and put on weight), irritability, an inability to concentrate, diarrhea and bloating. ...
The symptoms range depending upon the severity of the case, overall health of the afflicted individual, and other factors. In extreme cases one may experience severe symptoms such as diarrhea, weakness, migraines and weight loss indicating a marked decrease in intestinal absorptive surface area involving much of the small intestine.

What are the effects of celiac disease?

Patients with celiac disease are more likely to have problems relating to malabsorption, including osteoporosis, tooth enamel defects, central & peripheral nervous system disease, pancreatic disease, internal hemorrhaging, organ disorders (gall bladder, liver, & spleen) and gynecological disorders.
Source: www.chop.edu

How is celiac disease diagnosed?

Blood tests will help to diagnose and manage celiac disease. Some children may not have symptoms and are identified only through a screening blood test. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (EGD) needs to be done to confirm the diagnosis of celiac disease. During the endoscopy, a small tissue sample (biopsy) is taken from the small bowel. In celiac disease, this tissue will look inflamed and damaged when it is looked at under the microscope.
Source: www.chop.edu
The gold standard for diagnosis is the small intestinal biopsy, done during a procedure called endoscopy. The diagnosis is based on finding a series of abnormalities in an intestinal biopsy (increased inflammation and villous atrophy) that return toward normal on a gluten-free diet. As a follow up biopsy is not always necessary or performed, the combination of an abnormal biopsy and improvement of symptoms after gluten is eliminated from the diet is enough to establish the diagnosis. ...

Who Gets Celiac Disease?

Celiac Disease is a genetic disorder that is passed on through DNA. However, just because someone in your family is a diagnosed Celiac, does not mean that you too will necessarily be affected. Never the less, this family tie does increase the risk of intolerance. The rate of incidence for Celiac Disease in North Americans is 1 in 133 people. ...

How is Celiac Disease treated?

According to Ivor D. Hill, M.D., a pediatric gastroenterologist and expert on celiac disease at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, treatment of Celiac Sprue is not difficult "By following a gluten-free diet, patients will experience no symptoms and lead healthy, normal lives. " This may be easier said than done, "However, patients have to diligently find ways to prepare foods without these products. It's a matter of knowing what is good for you and incorporating it into your diet. "

Is Celiac Disease related to Hirschsprung's Disease?

I have noticed that there are symptoms that are pretty close to the same. If you do not know what Celiac Disease is you can get a description by clicking here or on the right side of the page there is a link to it. It isn't a bad idea to be tested for celiac disease first. The test is pretty easy. All they do for the first initial test is take blood. If the blood test comes back positive then they will need to do a biopsy. That is all I really know of this. ...
I have noticed that there are symptoms that are pretty close to the same. If you do not know what Celiac Disease is you can get a description by clicking here . If you are having problems now and think you may have HD it isn't a bad idea to be tested for celiac disease first. The test is pretty easy. All they do for the first initial test is take blood. If the blood test comes back positive then they will need to do a biopsy. That is all I really know of this. To learn more visit the Celiac Disease website.

Can a person with Celiac Disease eat these?

YES! All YC products are gluten-free. We are recommended by www.glutenfreemall.com associated with www.Celiac.com

How many people have Celiac Disease?

A recent joint study of the prevalence of Celiac Disease concluded that 1 in 133 average Americans has Celiac Disease. Those people with family members that have CD are more likely to have CD themselves. (back to top)

What are the complications of celiac disease?

Damage to the small intestine and the resulting nutrient absorption problems put a person with celiac disease at risk for malnutrition, anemia, and several other diseases and health problems. Lymphoma and adenocarcinoma are cancers that can develop in the intestine. Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones become weak, brittle, and prone to breaking. Poor calcium absorption contributes to osteoporosis. ...

What is the prevalence of celiac disease in Utah?

The prevalence of Celiac Disease in the United States for average healthy people: 1 in 133 people, or 2.2 million people 1 Estimated prevalence of Celiac Disease in Utah: 17,000 people (Note: this is based of off 1 in 133, the prevalence is higher in European descendents. ...

Are there other diseases related to celiac disease?

Among celiacs and their relatives, there appears to be a higher incidence of other disorders related to the immune system. A partial listing of these includes insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (type I), Graves' disease, Addison's disease, scleroderma, chronic active hepatitis, myasthenia gravis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and Sjogren's syndrome. ...
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