Celiac disease is believed to be a rare condition, both by the health professionals and the general public. While in western world it is beginning to get more attention than before, in India it is just getting recognized. Today, it is neither rare with 1-2% of population suffering from it, nor necessarily a diarrhoeal condition. Also, no longer is it a childhood disease as majority of cases are being picked up between 40 – 60 years of age. Nearly, 25% cases are diagnosed in individuals over 60 years of age. The disease occurs globally, has no socio-economic boundaries and can occur at any age.
Celiac disease is a condition where individuals cannot commonly tolerate gluten, a protein found commonly in grains including wheat, oats, barley etc. Here this gluten damages the intestinal lining and reduces the ability of the body to absorb food.
Typical symptoms of celiac disease include diarrhoea, gastrointestinal disturbances like abdominal distension, pain, constipation, flatulence, nausea, vomiting, growth problems, stunting, anaemia, but not everyone presents with these. In fact only 50% cases may present with diarrhoea. Other symptoms include weight loss, lethargy, tiredness, bone problems like osteoporosis, muscle cramps, skin problems, infertility, mouth ulcers, numbness and behaviour problems like depression, anxiety, poor school performance etc. Absence of typical symptoms makes the diagnosis difficult and often leads to ill health and life threatening disease.
Causes for celiac disease are still obscure. It is clearly a complex interaction of genetics and environment. Some specific genes have been identified and some are yet to be identified. Some of the environmental risk factors associated with the development of celiac disease, particularly in children include absence of breast feeding, repeated infections and early introduction of cow’s milk, wheat and egg. New hybrid wheat that we are consuming now a days is also implicated as a probable cause for increasing prevalence.
In India, the prevalence of celiac disease is certainly more common than previously appreciated and since it is largely an undiagnosed condition, the real numbers may be much larger.
As far as diagnosis is concerned it is also a challenge. The disease may present itself in many ways – typical, atypical, or silent (with very mild symptoms), which makes the diagnosis very difficult. Left undiagnosed, celiac disease can increase the risk of developing a severe form of malnutrition, non specific ill health and can even prove fatal. Celiac disease can also increase the risk of type-I diabetes, autoimmune diseases, liver diseases, thyroid disorders, pulmonary diseases such as asthma, Inflammatory bowel diseases, as well as cancer. New serological markers like tissue trans glutaminases antibodies (tTg,IgA) and anti endomycelial antibodies can detect the condition with 99% reliability. Endoscopic biopsy can confirm gluten intolerance.
It is a permanent condition and requires life long strict restriction to gluten along with nutritional supplements to correct deficiencies. Gluten-free diet usually helps restore normal health.
Common signs & symptoms: Recurrent digestive complaints, Liver disorders, milk intolerance, Lack of appetite, Mouth ulcers, Growth failure in children, weight loss, unexplained fatigue, fattened nails, easy bruising, anemia, frequent headache, bone and joint pains, infertility, Giddiness and imbalance, numbness and tingling sensation, depression, anxiety, poor attention span, eczema and psoriasis.
Typical symptoms of celiac disease include diarrhoea, gastrointestinal disturbances like abdominal distension, pain, constipation, flatulence, nausea, vomiting, growth problems, stunting, anaemia, but not everyone presents with these. In fact only 50% cases may present with diarrhoea. Other symptoms include weight loss, lethargy, tiredness, bone problems like osteoporosis, muscle cramps, skin problems, infertility, mouth ulcers, numbness and behaviour problems like depression, anxiety, poor school performance etc. Absence of typical symptoms makes the diagnosis difficult and often leads to ill health and life threatening disease.
Causes for celiac disease are still obscure. It is clearly a complex interaction of genetics and environment. Some specific genes have been identified and some are yet to be identified. Some of the environmental risk factors associated with the development of celiac disease, particularly in children include absence of breast feeding, repeated infections and early introduction of cow’s milk, wheat and egg. New hybrid wheat that we are consuming now a days is also implicated as a probable cause for increasing prevalence.
In India, the prevalence of celiac disease is certainly more common than previously appreciated and since it is largely an undiagnosed condition, the real numbers may be much larger.
As far as diagnosis is concerned it is also a challenge. The disease may present itself in many ways – typical, atypical, or silent (with very mild symptoms), which makes the diagnosis very difficult. Left undiagnosed, celiac disease can increase the risk of developing a severe form of malnutrition, non specific ill health and can even prove fatal. Celiac disease can also increase the risk of type-I diabetes, autoimmune diseases, liver diseases, thyroid disorders, pulmonary diseases such as asthma, Inflammatory bowel diseases, as well as cancer. New serological markers like tissue trans glutaminases antibodies (tTg,IgA) and anti endomycelial antibodies can detect the condition with 99% reliability. Endoscopic biopsy can confirm gluten intolerance.
It is a permanent condition and requires life long strict restriction to gluten along with nutritional supplements to correct deficiencies. Gluten-free diet usually helps restore normal health.
Common signs & symptoms: Recurrent digestive complaints, Liver disorders, milk intolerance, Lack of appetite, Mouth ulcers, Growth failure in children, weight loss, unexplained fatigue, fattened nails, easy bruising, anemia, frequent headache, bone and joint pains, infertility, Giddiness and imbalance, numbness and tingling sensation, depression, anxiety, poor attention span, eczema and psoriasis.
