cases of celiac disease occurs more often in children than in adults because clinical manifestations They are more pronounced early in life and this makes them easier to diagnose.
Although celiac disease is by no means preventable, early diagnosis and diet free gluten May prevent long-term complications.
What is celiac disease?
this is a autoimmune disease It affects people with a genetic predisposition and which causes a permanent intolerance to gluten, a protein commonly found in the composition of some grains (wheat, rye, barley, oats and derivatives).
These people have an unusual reaction when they eat gluten immune system and is an inflammatory lesion of the intestinal mucosa and its atrophy, that is, a progressive loss of intestinal villi necessary for absorption Nutrients,
symptoms of celiac disease
In the most obvious cases, Symptoms They appear before two years of life and sometimes after a few months (at 6 months) after the introduction of gluten-containing foods into the diet.
The most obvious clinical is called “celiac habit“And is characterized by both digestive and dyspepsia manifestations:
digestive symptoms
- Loss of appetite and weight.
- Recurrent abdominal pain.
- prolonged diarrhea
- chronic constipation.
- Bloated belly with thin ends.
- Vomiting and nausea, as well as reflux in infants.
dyspeptic symptoms
- Slow growth or no growth.
- loss of muscle mass.
- Character changes (irritability, apathy, sadness…)
- iron deficiency anemia.
- Mouth sores.
- Dermatitis herpetiform.
- Changes in tooth enamel.
How is Celiac Disease Diagnosed?
Various tests are done:
blood test including serology. Here it is ascertained whether the patient has anti-transglutaminase antibodies. If these are positive at high titers, then the diagnosis of celiac disease
Genetic Studies: Determination of certain genes associated with celiac disease has a limited diagnostic value, as 25–30% of the general population have these genes without having been diagnosed with the disease. What really gives us information is their negativity, which allows us to get out of illness if they are Negative. It is also useful for examining direct relatives of a case, for closer follow-up.
Endoscopy for intestinal biopsy: It is the “gold standard” for diagnosing celiac disease. This should always be done before starting gluten free diet, The degree of intestinal involvement at the time of diagnosis will be seen in the results of the intestinal biopsy.
Treatment and complications of celiac disease
Treatment of celiac disease is the strict exclusion of gluten from the diet for life. The diet emphasizes the disappearance of clinical symptoms, the negation of serological marker and normalization of the intestinal mucosa.
It should be remembered that in patients with poor adherence to the diet may occur serious complications Long term such as:
- Growth arrest (in childhood).
- Lack of puberty.
- infertility
- Osteoporosis.
- Hematological changes: anemia, leukopenia, changes in coagulation …
- Psychiatric disorders: depression, anxiety…
- non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
- Digestive carcinoma of the pharynx, esophagus, stomach and rectum.
- Autoimmune diseases.
Nowadays, following this diet has become easier due to the great offer of gluten free diet Number of restaurants on the market and offering customized menus for celiac patients.
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