Gluten intolerance
Key points
- Celiac disease is an inherited, autoimmune disease.
- Once thought rare, recent research suggests that an estimated 1 of every 133 Americans has celiac disease.
- The symptoms of celiac disease can vary significantly from person to person.
- It is important to determine the cause if anemia is detected.
Alternative names
Sprue; Nontropical sprue; Celiac disease - sprue; Gluten-sensitive enteropathy
Definition
Celiac disease is an inherited, autoimmune disease. The lining of the small intestine is damaged in response to ingestion of gluten and other proteins found in wheat, barley, rye, possibly oats, and their derivatives.
The intestines contain projections (called villi) that normally absorb nutrients. In undiagnosed or untreated celiac disease, these villi become flattened and the ability to absorb nutrients properly is altered. As a result, several other organ systems may also be affected. The disease can first develop at any point in life from infancy to late adulthood.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
The exact cause of celiac disease is unknown. Once thought rare, recent research suggests that an estimated 1 of every 133 Americans has celiac disease. However, only a small fraction of people living with it have been diagnosed in the United States at this time.
Those with a family member with celiac disease are at greater risk for developing the disease. The disorder is most common in Caucasians and those of European ancestry. Women are affected more commonly than men.
There are numerous diseases and conditions associated with celiac disease. Some of these include anemia, lactose intolerance, dermatitis herpetiformis (a burning, itching, blistering rash), and other skin disorders, type 1 diabetes, thyroid disease, Down syndrome, unexplained infertility, miscarriage, osteoporosis/osteopenia, certain types of intestinal cancer, neurological conditions, and autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.
Symptoms
The symptoms of celiac disease can vary significantly from person to person. Symptoms may be intestinal or seemingly non-intestinal in nature. This variability is part of the reason the diagnosis is frequently delayed. For example, one person may present with constipation, another with diarrhea, and yet a third with no irregularity in stooling.
A partial listing of gastrointestinal symptoms:
- Abdominal pain
- Abdominal distention, bloating, gas, indigestion
- Constipation
- Decreased appetite (may also be increased or unchanged)
- Diarrhea, chronic or occasional
- Lactose intolerance (common upon diagnosis; usually resolves following treatment)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stools that float, are foul smelling, bloody, or "fatty"
Written and revised by
Andrey Nailor, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.