Celiac disease, known as "the food allergy that affects your life the most", is a type of disease we encounter frequently today. Celiac, which causes you to stay away from your favorite foods, can affect your whole life. Celiac disease, which can be hereditary, can make life unbearable if left untreated. Ankara Celiac Disease treatment, which is frequently mentioned, Dr. With Meral Sözen, you will find the answers to the questions of what is celiac disease, why it occurs, what are its symptoms, how to treat it, and you will be able to look at celiac disease from a broad perspective.
Contents
What is Celiac Disease?
Celiac disease; It is the name given to the allergic reaction that develops in the intestines against the protein called “gluten” in wheat and its derivatives. After this reaction, the cells of the small intestine are damaged and become inflamed. As a result of this inflammation and damage, the hairs that provide absorption on the small intestine wall are damaged. Diarrhea occurs as a result of inflammation and damage, and the absorption of some substances necessary for the regulation of body functions is impaired.
According to studies, the biggest cause of Celiac disease is genetic predisposition. Celiac disease, which can occur in people with a family history of celiac disease, is seen at a rate of 30% in fraternal twins, while it is seen at a rate of 70% in identical twins.
It is a chronic disease that progresses with the formation of antibodies against gluten in cereals. The classic disease progresses with malabsorption, diarrhea, gas, bloating and weight loss. However, it can also manifest itself with anemia, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, short stature, infertility, epileptic seizures, and osteoporosis. It can be seen together with connective tissue diseases, autoimmune diseases and dermatitis herpetiformis.
For diagnosis, blood tests are requested after history and physical examination. If the suspicion of disease persists after blood tests, endoscopic small bowel biopsy is recommended. Diagnosis; It is confirmed by a combination of clinical, serological and histopathological findings.
Its treatment consists of abstinence from gluten products and treatment of accompanying conditions.
What Factors Precipitate Celiac Disease?
Stress
Stress is one of the main factors in the progression or emergence of many diseases today. Of course, this applies to celiacs. In people who work under intense stress or have a stressful life, "silent celiac", that is, "celiac disease, which is asymptomatic but hereditary, can occur during these periods and can negatively affect both the routine and psychology of the person.
Viral Infections
Weaknesses of the immune system open the door to many diseases. In celiac disease, viral infections play an active role at least as much as stress.
Genetic predisposition
People with celiac disease in their family may encounter Celiac disease in the future if they do not have their routine check-ups in certain periods and do not follow a diet according to Celiac.
What Are the Symptoms of Celiac Disease?
There are two periods with early and late onset. It can start with the transition of the baby from breast milk to supplementary food in the early period, as well as the disease can begin at the age of 30-40. There is no information that it will be seen more frequently according to gender. According to data in international publications, celiac disease is seen in one out of every 100 people. "Latent" or "silent celiac" may hide itself for long periods of time and may not show symptoms. Celiac disease, which develops after a while, first presents with diarrhea, bloating and abdominal pain.
Celiac disease, which shows symptoms according to the degree when it comes to absorption and digestive disorders, can give different symptoms in people of all ages. While developmental or growth retardation in children may provide an early sign of Celiac disease, early diagnosis may not be made in adulthood. However, it is much easier to diagnose Celiac disease in children due to conditions such as school failure, behavioral disorders, moodiness, and sleepiness. In adults, Celiac manifests itself in two ways:
with malabsorption
Mineral and vitamin deficiency
Absorption Disorder
If protein, carbohydrate and fat absorption is impaired, diarrhea and bloating will occur. Due to these defects in the small intestine wall, many substances will not be absorbed. Therefore, some of the undigested food that passes into the large intestine will be digested by the bacteria in the large intestine. This causes gas formation, as well as undigested food will cause more water to remain in the intestinal tract, causing persistent diarrhea. Absorption of other foods will also be impaired due to the destruction of the small intestinal wall. For example, secondary lactose intolerance may occur, as there will be problems with the digestion of milk protein.
Nutritional Disorder, Vitamin And Mineral Deficiency
Vitamin & mineral deficiencies that cause many problems such as anemia, osteoporosis, infertility, easy tooth decay, hair loss.
It is common in celiac patients. At the same time, the Celiac patient, who continues to weaken and suffers from muscle weakness, also complains of loss of appetite.
Who Is at Risk for Celiac Disease?
Celiac disease, which can be seen at a rate of 1% in the society, is more common in women, while it can be seen in children over the age of 10. People with increased risk of Celiac disease due to grain consumption in adults are often genetically predisposed.
If a first-degree relative has IGA insufficiency, the risk increases 10%. Celiac disease, which can also occur with autoimmune disease, Type 1 diabetes, Sjögren's syndrome, and hypothyroidism, is a disease that often threatens those who are genetically at risk.
How Is Celiac Disease Diagnosed?
In the case of the above-mentioned symptoms, your gastroenterologist will examine you in detail. In blood and stool tests, deficiencies such as magnesium, calcium, potassium, protein, vitamin B12 are checked and inflammation markers are checked. Your doctor, who performs many tests from complete blood count to celiac disease tests, may also request endoscopy and perform intestinal mucosal biopsy to make a definitive diagnosis.
Is There a Cure for Celiac Disease?
Celiac disease, which requires avoidance of gluten-containing foods, is not as innocent as it seems. Celiac patients, which affect the social and psychological state of the person in many ways, suffer from diarrhea complaints a lot.
Celiac disease, which is not diagnosed in the early period, can lead to serious problems in the future. Untreated Celiac patients; It is at risk for cancer, intestinal lymphoma, intestinal ulcers.
The primary treatment for celiac disease is to remove gluten from your life, and there is no medication.
It is not correct to make a gluten-free diet without a definitive diagnosis of Celiac disease, which can minimize the complaints experienced with a gluten-free diet. Because the discomfort thought to be celiac may be a sign of another disease. Therefore, do not follow Gluten Free diet programs until your gastroenterologist gives you a clear diagnosis.
However, for diagnosed Celiac disease, you need to change your diet throughout your life. Not consuming foods prepared with wheat, barley and rye should be the most important nutrition rule in your life. You can eat anything including rice, corn, potato and soybean meal, fruit, vegetables, eggs and meat so you can keep complaints to a minimum. However, within 2 years of healing of the intestinal mucosa, the intestinal mucosa begins to recover, usually within 4 to 6 months.
If You Think You Have Celiac Disease Or If You Want To Apply The Treatment Of Celiac Disease, Dr. Meral Sözen is waiting for you!
It is very easy to end the negative deficiencies created by celiac disease with a gluten-free diet! However, in order to apply this diet, it is best to test and diagnose Celiac disease. If you are experiencing the symptoms listed in the content and you have a relative with Celiac disease, Dr. You can come to Meral Sözen's center and get the diagnosis and treatment done in a short time and say "hello" to a "more comfortable" life.
