What is Celiac Disease?
Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disease which affects the digestive tract. It affects about 1 in 133 people. If someone with Celiac Disease ingests gluten (a type of protein found in wheat, rye, barley and oats) the body tries to protect itself by rejecting it. This results in the lining of the intestine becoming damaged as well as the body being unable to absorb nutrients.
FAQS
- To properly diagnose Celiac Disease, a biopsy of the intestine is needed before starting a gluten free diet. Do not go gluten free beforehand as it will give false test results.
- Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disorder.
- It is a genetic disease.
- The disease can occur at any age.
- Untreated Celiac Disease can be fatal.
- 50% of adults with Celiac Disease have atypical symptoms.
- Symptoms can mimic anemia, Crohn's disease, and even irritable bowel syndrome.
- Some people have no symptoms at all.