Gluten-Free Living: Celiac Disease Explained

Celiac disease is a disease in which the lining of the small intestine becomes damaged. This damage occurs from the ingestion of gluten found in barley, wheat, rye, and other grains. It can be found in both children and adults and may develop at any time in life. Celiac disease is most common in people of European ancestry.

Symptoms of celiac disease include abdominal pain and distention, bloating, gas, nausea and vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, decreased appetite, anemia, malnutrition, and many others. Tests that can help diagnose celiac disease include blood tests, endoscopy, biopsy, and genetic testing of the blood. Treatment consists of following a gluten-free diet for the rest of one’s life. This means avoiding foods and medicines that contain grains such as wheat, rye, and barley and their derivatives. Some patients are even so sensitive to the presence of gluten that they can not even eat foods that are prepared near foods that contain gluten. Complications of the disease can include other autoimmune disorders, malnutrition, osteoporosis, fractures, infertility, miscarriage, and intestinal cancer. Other associated diseases and conditions include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus, anemia, dermatitis herpetiformis, type 1 diabetes, intestinal cancer, and others.

By actively following a gluten-free diet, people can lessen the symptoms and effects of celiac disease on their bodies. This diet can be challenging though, as it requires strict avoidance of foods and medications that contain the above-mentioned grains. Following gluten-free diet guidelines and learning which foods should be avoided and which are allowed can help greatly with meal planning and make living with this disease more manageable. With the recent surge of Celiac disease awareness, there is even a whole food industry popping up to cater to Celiacs. Celiac sufferers can now find many gluten free options of their favorite foods that they may have once thought they had to give up forever. Many of these foods are easily made with simple ingredient substitutions, such as substituting regular flour for a rice flour.

Below are some links to more information about celiac disease and gluten-free diets.

Celiac Disease Foundation: Organization dedicated to raising awareness about celiac disease.

Celiac Disease: Information on gluten and celiac disease.

Treatment of Celiac Disease: Information from the Celiac Sprue Association on how to treat celiac disease.

Celiac Disease Tests: Overview of the tests involved in diagnosing celiac disease.

Celiac Central: Celiac disease info, news, resources, and more from the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness.

Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University: Celiac disease info for children and parents, individuals, and doctors. Also information on research projects.

Celiac Disease Facts: Facts about this disease from the University of Maryland Center for Celiac Research.

What is Celiac Disease?: Celiac disease and gluten-free diet info from the Ohio State University Medical Center.

Celiac Disease Symptoms: (PDF Document) Description of the symptoms of celiac disease from the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center.

Medications and Celiac Disease - Tips From a Pharmacist: (PDF Document) An article that discusses gluten in medications.

Celiac Disease: Facts about the disease from the Jack Miller Center for Peripheral Neuropathy.

Whole Grains and the Gluten-Free Diet: (PDF Document) Detailed article about grains and the gluten-free diet.

Gluten-Free Diet Guide for People with Newly Diagnosed Celiac Disease: Information from Colorado State University about gluten-free foods.

Gluten Free Diet: (PDF Document) Dietary guidelines for a gluten-free diet from Massachusetts General Hospital.

Gluten-Free Diet Guide for Families: (PDF Document) Information about gluten and how to start a gluten-free diet.

Celiac Support Groups in the United States: A listing of celiac disease support groups in the US.