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Celiac Disease Introduction |
Celiac disease is also known as
non-tropical sprue, celiac sprue, or
gluten-sensitive enteropathy.
It is categorized as a
chronic malabsorption disorder
caused by an immune reaction to certain
grain proteins called glutens. [1]
Celiac disease causes the surface of
the small intestine to be destroyed
when gluten-rich foods are consumed,
and hinders the absorption of
critical nutrients, such as calcium,
folate, iron, and some dietary fats. [2] The immune response is, more
specifically, to the gliadin
component of gluten. Gluten
containing grains include wheat, rye,
barley, and triticale. Other grains
that may cause a reaction are oats,
kamut, amaranth, quinoa, and soy.
These grains contain proteins that
are very similar in structure to gliadin. [3]
Celiac disease is very prevalent in
the Western population. There does
not appear to be any difference of
occurrence between men and women. Interestingly,
it is more prevalent in persons of
Northern and Central European
descent and is not common in persons
of Asian, Jewish, and Mediterranean
descent. [4,
5] There does seem to be a genetic
component to celiac disease. Persons with a first degree relative
who suffers, or has suffered from
the disease, are at higher risk
of contracting the disease. [6] Other risk factors include Type I
Diabetes and other autoimmune
diseases.[7]
Diagnosis of celiac disease peaks at
two different ages.
Initial diagnosis is
usually discovered in children before the age of 3, and
secondly in adulthood, between
the ages of 30-50. [8] It is thought that incidence peaks
in children as a result of the
introduction of cereal grains
into diet It
is, however, unknown why the second peak
occurs later in life. Individuals
with celiac disease are at increased
risk for multiple nutrient
deficiencies, thyroid abnormalities,
diabetes, dermatitis herpetiformis,
urticaria, osteoporosis, cancer, and
psychiatric disease. The occurrence
of celiac disease is between 2.5 to
7.5 per 1000 people. For individuals with Type
I Diabetes, the occurrence is as high
as 46 to 104 per 1000 people.
Those suffering from Hashimotos's Thyroiditisas
are at greatest risk, with an
occurence as
high as 78 per 1000 persons. [9]
In many cases, Celiac
disease can be asymptomatic. The
most common symptom is steatorrhea (fatty stools). Children with
celiac disease often exhibit
specific indicators of disease,
including:
Adults will often be of smaller
stature and suffer from;
-
weight loss
-
infertility
-
apthous stomatitis
-
dermatitis herpetiformis
Long-term
sufferers may develop bone pain,
edema, paresthesia, and anemia,
caused by severe nutrient
deficiencies resulting from malabsorption.[10]
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