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What is Coeliac Disease?
Understanding Coeliac Disease
Coeliac disease is a lifelong autoimmune condition where the body's immune system reacts negatively to gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. When individuals with coeliac disease consume gluten, their immune system attacks the small intestine's lining, leading to damage and an inability to properly absorb nutrients from food.
Symptoms of Coeliac Disease
Symptoms of coeliac disease can vary widely among individuals and can affect multiple systems in the body. Common symptoms include:
- Digestive issues such as diarrhoea, constipation, and bloating
- Fatigue and weakness
- Unintentional weight loss
- Anaemia
- Bone and joint pain
- Skin rashes, such as dermatitis herpetiformis
Diagnosis of Coeliac Disease
To diagnose coeliac disease, a combination of blood tests and a biopsy of the small intestine is typically used. Blood tests check for specific antibodies that are usually elevated in individuals with coeliac disease. If blood tests suggest coeliac disease, a biopsy is performed to confirm the diagnosis by examining the small intestine's tissue for damage caused by gluten consumption.
Treatment and Management
The primary treatment for coeliac disease is a strict, lifelong gluten-free diet. This diet helps to manage symptoms and prevent further damage to the small intestine. People with coeliac disease should avoid foods containing wheat, barley, rye, and derivatives of these grains. Many foods are naturally gluten-free, and there are many gluten-free alternatives available in supermarkets and restaurants.
Support and Resources
The NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) offers various resources and support for individuals diagnosed with coeliac disease. Dietitians can provide guidance on maintaining a balanced and varied gluten-free diet. Additionally, there are support groups and charities such as Coeliac UK, which provide further information, advice, and community support.
What is Coeliac Disease?
Understanding Coeliac Disease
Coeliac disease is when your body doesn't like gluten. Gluten is in foods like bread and pasta. If people with coeliac disease eat gluten, it hurts their stomach and makes it hard to use food properly.
Symptoms of Coeliac Disease
People with coeliac disease can feel different. Here are some common signs:
- Tummy problems like diarrhea, hard stools, or feeling gassy
- Feeling very tired or weak
- Losing weight without trying
- Low red blood cells (anaemia)
- Aches in bones and joints
- Skin rashes
Diagnosis of Coeliac Disease
Doctors use blood tests and a small piece of your stomach to check for coeliac disease. Blood tests look for certain markers. If the tests say you might have coeliac disease, the doctor will take a close look at your stomach to be sure.
Treatment and Management
The best way to feel better is to stop eating gluten. This means no foods with wheat, barley, or rye. Lots of foods don't have gluten, and you can find gluten-free foods in stores and restaurants.
Support and Resources
If you have coeliac disease, there is help. The NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) can offer support. Dietitians help you eat right. You can also find support from groups like Coeliac UK. They give advice and have people you can talk to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Coeliac Disease is an autoimmune condition where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine. It affects the absorption of nutrients from food.
Symptoms include diarrhoea, abdominal pain, bloating, fatigue, and weight loss, though they can vary widely among individuals.
Diagnosis usually involves blood tests to detect specific antibodies and is confirmed by a biopsy of the small intestine.
Foods containing gluten, such as wheat, barley, and rye, must be avoided.
There is no cure for Coeliac Disease, but it can be managed effectively by adhering to a strict gluten-free diet.
Yes, children can develop Coeliac Disease. Symptoms in children may include growth issues, irritability, and digestive problems.
Yes, Coeliac Disease can develop at any age.
Coeliac Disease has a genetic component and can run in families. First-degree relatives of a person with Coeliac Disease have a higher risk.
The only treatment is a lifelong gluten-free diet, which helps to manage symptoms and prevent intestinal damage.
Ingesting gluten can cause symptoms to return and can lead to long-term intestinal damage and other health complications.
Yes, cross-contamination can occur if gluten-free foods come into contact with gluten-containing foods during preparation or processing.
Pure, uncontaminated oats are generally safe, but it's important to ensure they have not been contaminated with gluten during processing.
Support includes dietitian services, Coeliac UK resources, and support groups which provide information, recipes, and emotional support.
Untreated Coeliac Disease can lead to complications like osteoporosis, infertility, neurological conditions, and an increased risk of certain cancers.
Yes, but they need to ensure that the restaurant understands gluten-free requirements and practices safe food handling to avoid cross-contamination.
Coeliac Disease is when your body reacts badly to gluten. Gluten is in some foods. It can hurt the small intestine, which helps your body take in good things from food.
Signs you might notice are tummy pain, runny poo, feeling full of air, feeling very tired, and losing weight. But these signs can be different for each person.
To find out what is wrong, doctors do some blood tests to look for special things called antibodies. Then, they might take a tiny piece of your small intestine to look at closely. This helps them know for sure what is going on.
Stay away from foods that have gluten. This means no wheat, barley, or rye.
Coeliac Disease cannot be cured, but you can feel better by eating foods that do not have gluten in them.
Yes, children can get Coeliac Disease. Signs in children can be problems growing, feeling grumpy, and tummy aches.
If you find reading hard, try using tools like text-to-speech apps. They read the words out loud for you.
Yes, you can get Coeliac Disease at any age.
Coeliac Disease can be in your genes. This means it can be in families. If someone in your family has Coeliac Disease, you have a higher chance of getting it too.
The only way to help is to eat food that does not have gluten. You need to do this all the time, for your whole life. This helps you feel better and stops damage to your insides.
Eating gluten can make symptoms come back. It can also hurt the intestines over time and cause other health problems.
Yes, gluten-free food can get mixed with food that has gluten. This can happen when cooking or making the food.
Plain oats are usually safe to eat. But we need to make sure they do not get mixed up with gluten when they are made.
Help includes seeing a food expert, using Coeliac UK stuff, and joining support groups. These groups give tips, recipes, and help with feelings.
If Coeliac Disease is not treated, it can cause other health problems. These include weak bones, trouble having babies, problems with the brain, and a higher chance of getting some types of cancer.
People with reading difficulties can use tools like text-to-speech software to hear the text read out loud, or colored overlays to help read more easily.
Yes, they can, but they must make sure the restaurant knows about serving food that is safe to eat without gluten. The restaurant should also be careful when making the food to stop any mix-up with other foods.
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