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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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- Bronwyn W replied to Laura Q's topic in Related Issues & Disorders8
Newly diagnosed
Thank you 😊 I will certainly have those tests done to be thorough although bright red color indicates lower down. This information is very interesting, Thank you so much 🙏🏻 -
- trents replied to Laura Q's topic in Related Issues & Disorders8
Newly diagnosed
As Plumbago mentioned, bleeding in the upper end of the GI track tends not to show up as bright red in color because it gets acted upon by the digestion process and more thoroughly mixed in with food residues that are passing through the intestines. -
- plumbago replied to Laura Q's topic in Related Issues & Disorders8
Newly diagnosed
@Bronwyn W Working with your medical provider, you could do a complete blood count test. If you were bleeding say from an ulcer in the stomach (and let's hope not), your red blood cells could be low and your hemoglobin low as well. Your stools may show up as the proverbial "dark and tarry," indicative of a bleeding site further away from the anus. Basically... -
- Bronwyn W replied to Laura Q's topic in Related Issues & Disorders8
Newly diagnosed
Thank you for this insight. I have had rectal bleeding after glutening and subsequent constipation (+ IBS-C) and always attributed it to internal hemorrhoids (diagnosed). What I wasn't aware of is the possibility of bleeding further up the digestive tract. Please can you elaborate on the causes and symptoms to watch for? -
- Scott Adams replied to badastronaut's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms20
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