Celiac disease is an autoimmune digestive disease that affects at least 1 in 133 Americans, roughly 1 percent of the population, according to the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness. Celiac disease is also called celiac sprue or gluten
Celiac disease is an autoimmune digestive disease that affects at least 1 in 133 Americans, roughly 1 percent of the population, according to the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness. Celiac disease is also called celiac sprue or gluten-sensitive enteropathy. The word "celiac," sometimes spelled "coeliac" or "cœliac" is derived from the Greek koiliakós, abdomen.
“Celiac disease is a gastrointestinal condition. It's a poor immune response to foods that contain gluten, a protein found in grains,” said Dr. Bethany DeVito, a gastroenterologist at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, New York.
Gluten is found in foods made from grains such as wheat, rye and barley. Oats may contain gluten too if they are cross-contaminated with grains during manufacturing, DeVito said.
In people with celiac disease, exposure to gluten damages the lining of the small intestine, interfering with the absorption of nutrients from food and often causing abdominal pain.
In the past few years, awareness of the genetic disorder has increased and many food companies and restaurants now offer menus that cater to those with celiac disease.
Classic symptoms of celiac disease are diarrhea and weight loss. However, many people may not experience digestive symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic. There are also symptoms that may appear later if someone is untreated, for example, nutrient deficiencies.
“Some people have anemia and vitamin deficiencies because of mal-absorption. They don't absorb all the nutrients because of the damage in t