Celiac disease and its symptoms
Celiac disease is a disease of the digestive system that is not contagious and can appear at any age throughout life, therefore, it can occur both in children and in elderly people. The genetic inheritance is a determining factor when suffering gluten intolerance, but family history does not always exist.
Although children and people with a family member with celiac disease have a greater risk of developing celiac disease, this does not imply that there must be several affected relatives. It can also happen that celiac disease manifests itself in a family member in an atypical way, that is, that it does not suffer symptoms, or that these are somewhat different from the usual ones.
It is a disease that it can not be prevented because the exact cause that makes a person present this intolerance is not known. However the early diagnostic, and the exclusion of gluten from the diet, prevent the progressive malnutrition of the celiac person and prevent the appearance of complications, such as the appearance of intestinal cancer.
What is celiac disease?
Basically it is characterized by a permanent intolerance to a protein called gluten, which is present in cereals (wheat, oats, barley or rye). Celiac disease is a chronic disease of the digestive system, manifested when the gluten intolerant person ingests foods containing gluten, which damage the lining of the small intestine, reducing their ability to absorb nutrients. And is that this absorption capacity, which is done thanks to some villi, is compromised when foods with gluten reduce their length.
Without a gluten-free diet, people affected by this disorder they suffer from malnutrition, but thanks to it it is completely controlled, achieving a normalization of the intestine of the person who suffers it, and avoiding complications in the short and long term. It is important that the food is varied and balanced, to replace the nutritional deficiencies of the patient. At present, in addition, many gluten-free foods (pasta, pizza, pastries ...) that are easily found in supermarkets have been commercialized.
Symptoms of celiac disease
Although the symptoms of celiac disease can vary considerably from one person to another, there are common patterns that can lead to the suspicion of gluten intolerance.
- Children under 2 years old. It is usual to see them irritable, and that they present nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Due to the poor absorption of nutrients, they are usually underweight for their age and Physical development is less than expected.
- Adults. They usually present fatigue and fatigue, abdominal discomfort (pain, bloating, bloating) and anemia.
In general, the most characteristic symptoms of celiac disease are:
1. Related to the stomach: diarrhea, frequent, soft, greasy, pale and stinking stools, abdominal pain, swelling, gas, indigestion, vomiting and constipation.
2. Related to general malaise: Weight loss, anemia, bone and joint pain, muscle cramps, fatigue, growth retardation in children, mouth ulcers, irregular menstruation, fragile nails and hair loss.
3. Related to behavior: depression, change of character.
Marisol New
Advice: Working Group on Early Diagnosis of celiac disease
Coordinator: Isabel Polanco Allué. Spanish Society of Gastroenterology,
Hepatology and Pediatric Nutrition
