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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.
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Recent Activity
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- trents replied to ellieb13's topic in Dermatitis Herpetiformis1
Eczema or dermatitis herpetiformis
Welcome to the forum, @ellieb13! The third party commercial celiac test kits are reliable but suffer from the same shortcomings that the average physician ordered celiac testing does. Namely, the number and kinds of tests included is pretty limited, usually just one or two antibody tests as opposed to a complete panel. Some who do have celiac disease... -
- ellieb13 posted a topic in Dermatitis Herpetiformis1
Eczema or dermatitis herpetiformis
Hi, I've feel like I've hit a brick wall. I've had eczema as a child and have mostly grown out of it, with an occasional flare-up (once a year at most). However, this time around none of the usual tactics work. I use a soap substitute, use 100% cotton clothing, even changed my mattress. The topical steroid given by the doctor usually does the trick after... -
- knitty kitty replied to Barcino's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease3
Antibodies went up
@Barcino, Yes, do try cutting out dairy. About half of people with Celiac Disease react to the protein in dairy, Casein, the same as to gluten because of similar protein segments. Others have Lactose intolerance because their damaged intestinal lining, the villi, are damaged and can't produce the enzyme lactase which breaks down the sugar in dairy... -
- cristiana replied to sh00148's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms22
Vomiting - celiac or constipation
So glad @sh00148 that you now have a coeliac diagnosis for your daughter. We really appreciate your update. If we can help any further, do not hesitate to get in touch. -
- sh00148 replied to sh00148's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms22
Vomiting - celiac or constipation
Morning All, Just an update, I got an urgent appointment through my contact with PALS. The doctor confirmed her levels were the highest possible so she likely had higher levels of inflammation. Since the appointment, they ordered a second set of bloods, but as many of you confirmed he felt there was no doubt she was coeliac so asked us to start...
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