What Is Celiac Disease ?
Celiac disease is a digestive disorder caused by wheat products or barley. People affected with this disease should avoid gluten containing foods like pasta, bread, cookies and pizza. Any food that includes wheat or rye products should not be taken since it can produce allergic reaction in the small intestine thereby damaging the tissues of small intestine. It may even produce intense pain in the abdomen and cause diarrhea. Since most of the food items are to be avoided, it can cause mal-absorption or lack of nutrients in the body causing various complications. Lack of protein and vitamins can cause damage in the bones, liver, nerves and even your brain. Celiac disease can be easily managed by making little changes in the daily diet.
Celiac Disease Symptoms :
Some of the important symptoms of this disease are frequent bowel movements, pain the abdomen and bloated sensation. Many people may not have any symptoms mentioned above. Instead they may have signs of irritation, anemia, anxiety, depression, skin rashes, ulcers, joint pain and bone related problems like osteoporosis. Some people may also have tingling feeling in legs and arms affecting their nervous system.
In addition, there can be loss of weight, cramps in the abdomen, foul smelling stool, and diarrhea and bone weakness. Children affected with this problem may not eat well and will get exhausted easily. Gluten intolerance can also cause dermatitis herpetiformis which affects the skin causing rashes on the body more particularly in buttocks and scalp.