-
Welcome to Celiac.com!
You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.
-
Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):
-
Get Celiac.com Updates:Support Our Content
-
Celiac.com - Celiac Disease & Gluten-Free Diet Support Since 1995
What is Celiac Disease?
Celiac disease (aka coeliac disease) is a genetic autoimmune disorder where ingesting gluten (a protein in wheat, barley, and rye) triggers an immune response that damages the small intestine's lining. This damage leads to inflammation and atrophy of the villi, tiny finger-like projections in the intestine responsible for nutrient absorption. As a result, individuals with celiac disease may experience symptoms like diarrhea, bloating, fatigue, and malnutrition. Over time, untreated celiac disease can lead to more severe health problems, including anemia, osteoporosis, weight loss, and increased risk of certain cancers. A strict gluten-free diet is the only effective treatment. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease, not a wheat allergy. It's also different from non-celiac gluten sensitivity, gluten intolerance, or sensitivity to gluten.
My Long Journey to Celiac Disease Diagnosis
Like many people, I spent a lot of years, a lot of dollars, and endured many tests and misdiagnoses, before doctors finally discovered that I had celiac disease (also known as coeliac disease or celiac sprue), and needed to eliminate gluten and all gluten-containing ingredients from my diet. Gluten is a protein found in the three main gluten-containing grains: wheat, rye, and barley; and is often hidden in processed foods, and things like soy sauce and beer...[READ MORE about my long and winding road to a celiac disease diagnosis and recovery.]
Gluten-Free Diet
To treat my celiac disease I had to go on a gluten-free diet for life. That meant learning to read food labels to avoid gluten ingredients, and eating a diet of mostly naturally gluten-free foods like meats, fruits, nuts, vegetables, and packaged foods only if they are certified gluten-free or labeled gluten-free, for example gluten-free breads made using gluten-free grains.
Breaking Celiac Disease News & Info:
-
Get Celiac.com Updates:Support Celiac.com:
-
Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):
-
Recent Activity
-
- trents replied to Neat1's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms10
Maybe celiac, maybe just ncgs?
Digestive enzymes won't help with gluten disorders per se but can often help with pancreatic enzyme deficiency related digestive problems. I'm not sure that having an IGA deficiency necessarily predisposes one to decreases in infection fighting ability but that's a good question to ask your physician. -
- sophierecette replied to BadHobit's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms12
Help! I have to eat gluten :(
Thank you for sharing your journey—it sounds like you've been through a lot, and you're being incredibly proactive about your health! Celiac disease and gluten intolerance can be tricky to navigate, especially when there’s conflicting advice from different doctors. It’s great that you’re feeling healthier on a gluten-free diet, but I understand the frustra... -
- Neat1 replied to Neat1's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms10
Maybe celiac, maybe just ncgs?
That’s a really interesting idea about IgA deficiency. I’ve had chronic sinus infections for more than 10 years as well. I’ll bring it up next time with my PCM. in the meantime I’m going to supplement B1 and see if there’s any change. I’m also doing l. reuteri plus a regular multistrain probiotic which seems to be helpful. Do digestive enzymes hel... -
- Scott Adams replied to BadHobit's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms12
Help! I have to eat gluten :(
For what it's worth, at the time of my celiac disease diagnosis I was also diagnosed with H. Pylori and treated for it with antibiotics. The throat swelling sounds like an allergy that may not be associated with celiac disease--if you can recall the foods you ate before this reaction it might help you track down the culprit, but if you can't it might make... -
- Scott Adams replied to cjjones5969's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease8
Problems
Many people with celiac disease, especially those who are in the 0-2 year range of their recovery, have additional food intolerance issues which could be temporary. To figure this out you may need to keep a food diary and do an elimination diet over a few months. Some common food intolerance issues are dairy/casein, eggs, corn, oats, and soy. The...
-