Celiac Disease: When Gluten Becomes The Villain

Celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten, is more than just a sensitivity. It’s a battle between your body and a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye.

This battleground is your small intestine, where the ordinarily helpful villi (finger-like projections) are attacked and flattened, hindering nutrient absorption.

Let’s delve into the world of celiac disease, exploring its symptoms, causes, and the path to living a healthy life beyond gluten.

Disclaimer: Always talk with your Primary Care Physician before changing your diet. Also, do your research and investigations before implementing any dietary changes. This article is for informational purposes only.

What Is Celiac Disease?

A disease in which the small intestine is hypersensitive to gluten, leading to difficulty digesting food. Celiac disease is the body’s intolerance to a protein in gluten, and some consider Celiac Disease to be a food allergy.

Celiac Disease can be asymptomatic or symptomatic. Some people have no symptoms—aside from damage to the small intestine. Others have symptoms that can be intestinal bloating, headaches, and depression.

Celiac disease almost always occurs in people with one of two groups of normal gene variants NIH external link, called DQ2 and DQ8. People who do not have these gene variants are doubtful of developing celiac disease. About 30 percent of people have DQ2 or DQ8. However, only about 3 percent of people with DQ2 or DQ8 develop celiac disease.

Researchers are studying other factors that may increase a person’s chances of developing celiac disease. For example, research suggests that a higher number of infections in early life and certain digestive tract infections may increase the risk.

Experts also think changes in the microbiome—the bacteria in the digestive tract that help with digestion—could play a role in the development of celiac disease.

Researchers are studying other genes that may increase the chance of celiac disease in people with DQ2 or DQ8. –Source
NIH.GOV

The Stealthy Symptoms of Celiac Disease

Celiac disease can manifest with a wide range of symptoms, and their severity can vary among individuals.

Celiac disease can be a sneaky foe, with symptoms varying widely and mimicking other conditions. Some individuals present with classic digestive woes like chronic diarrhea, bloating, gas, and abdominal pain.

But celiac disease can also be a stealthy operator, manifesting in non-digestive symptoms like:

Digestive Issues: Individuals with celiac disease often experience abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. These symptoms result from the immune system’s reaction to gluten, damaging the small intestine’s lining.
Weight Loss and Malnutrition: Malabsorption of nutrients due to intestinal damage can lead to weight loss, nutrient deficiencies, and malnutrition. Despite a normal or increased appetite, individuals may struggle to maintain a healthy weight.
Fatigue: Celiac disease can cause fatigue and weakness, partly due to nutrient deficiencies resulting from impaired absorption in the intestines.
Skin Rash (Dermatitis Herpetiformis): Some individuals with celiac disease may develop a specific type of skin rash known as dermatitis herpetiformis, characterized by itchy, blistering lesions. This condition is directly related to gluten sensitivity.
Joint Pain and Headaches: Celiac disease can affect various body systems, leading to joint pain and headaches in some individuals.
Reproductive Issues: Women with untreated celiac disease may experience fertility problems or complications during pregnancy.

It’s important to note that celiac disease can present with atypical symptoms or be asymptomatic, making it challenging to diagnose without proper testing.

The Gluten Culprit: Unmasking the Cause

The trigger for this autoimmune mayhem is gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. When someone with celiac disease ingests gluten, their immune system mistakenly attacks the villi in the small intestine, causing damage and hindering nutrient absorption.

This leads to the various symptoms and health complications associated with celiac disease.

An abnormal immune system response to gluten primarily causes celiac disease.

When individuals with celiac disease consume gluten-containing foods, their immune system mistakenly attacks the small intestine’s lining, leading to inflammation and damage.

The exact cause of celiac disease is a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors:

Genetics: Celiac disease has a strong genetic component. Individuals with certain genetic markers, specifically the HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 genes, are at an increased risk. However, not everyone with these genes develops celiac disease.
Environmental Triggers: While genetics play a significant role, environmental factors also contribute to the development of celiac disease. Factors such as the timing of gluten introduction in an infant’s diet and the amount of gluten consumed may influence disease onset.
Other Autoimmune Conditions: Celiac disease is often associated with other autoimmune conditions, such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and autoimmune thyroid disorders. Having one autoimmune condition increases the risk of developing others.

Diagnosing the Enemy: Unveiling Celiac Disease

Early diagnosis is crucial for managing celiac disease and preventing long-term complications. Doctors typically employ a combination of:

Blood tests: To detect antibodies indicative of celiac disease.
Genetic testing: To identify genes associated with an increased risk.
Endoscopy and biopsy: To examine the small intestine for villi damage.

Living Gluten-Free: The Path to Victory

The good news? Celiac disease is manageable, and the key lies in a strict gluten-free diet. This means eliminating all sources of gluten, including:

Cereals: Wheat, barley, rye, and their derivatives like spelt, kamut, and triticale.
Baked goods: Bread, cookies, cakes, pastries, and crackers.
Pasta and noodles: Made from wheat, barley, or rye.
Beverages: Beer, malt beverages, and some flavored coffees and teas.
Hidden gluten: Found in processed foods, sauces, condiments, and medications.

While the initial transition might seem daunting, many delicious and nutritious gluten-free alternatives await. From quinoa and rice to corn and almond flour, the world of gluten-free food is ever-expanding and full of flavor.

Living Well Beyond Gluten: A Life Empowered

A celiac disease diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. You can live a healthy and fulfilling life with proper medical guidance, a supportive network, and a commitment to a gluten-free lifestyle.

Remember, celiac disease doesn’t define you; it simply means taking control of your diet and health in a new way. Embrace the challenge, explore the world of gluten-free living, and celebrate every victory over your gluten foe.

Gluten & Celiac Disease

In celiac disease, the immune response to gluten creates toxins that destroy the villi. Villi are tiny finger-like protrusions inside the small intestines. When the villi become damaged, the body cannot absorb nutrients from food. This can lead to malnutrition and other serious health complications, including permanent intestinal damage.

Celiac disease, occasionally called celiac sprue or gluten-sensitive enteropathy is an immune reaction to eating gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye.

Gluten is a protein in crackers, bread, pasta, cereal, and beer. With Celiac disease, your immune system will attack the gluten and harm your small intestine when you ingest these foods.

This makes it harder for your body to absorb essential nutrients. Malabsorption of vitamins and minerals can interfere with the body’s handling of neurotransmitters that regulate mood.

Gluten is found in grains like rye, wheat, barley, medicine, and vitamins. Untreated Celiac disease can lead to lymphoma, osteoporosis, and anemia.

Celiac disease passes on through genetics and is not contagious. There are also psychological consequences of having Celiac disease. In children, they may become conspicuously quiet, turned in, often weepy, discontented or surly, and lack joy for living.

Psychotic episodes and delusions are present in adults and children. Celiac Disease may even be attributed to feelings of anxiety and panic in people as well. With the body’s inability to absorb nutrients properly due to Celiac Disease, other physical and psychological problems can occur.

Celiac Disease can cause hypersensitivity in most children and adults.

This is due to the lack of essential B vitamins adequately absorbed into the body. B vitamins are responsible for maintaining a healthy nervous system and the immune system in the body.

When your body lacks B vitamins, it may feel like your nerves are shot. You will feel weak and vulnerable, both mentally and psychologically.

Below are the symptoms of Celiac Disease

Physical Symptoms

Weakness.
Gas and Bloating.
Weight loss.
Extreme fatigue.
Changes in bowel movements.
Vomiting after eating gluten.

Other Symptoms

Daydreaming.
Anxiety and depression.
Difficulty finishing sentences.
Speech delay.
Seizures.
Poor memory.
Temporary dyslexia.
Visual and auditory delusions.
Easily annoyed
Obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Anemia, usually from iron deficiency
Loss of bone density (osteoporosis) or softening of the bone (osteomalacia)
Itchy, blistery skin rash (dermatitis herpetiformis)
Mouth ulcers
Headaches and fatigue
Nervous system injury, including numbness and tingling in the feet and hands, possible problems with balance, and cognitive impairment
Joint pain
Reduced functioning of the spleen (hyposplenism)

Celiac Disease Symptoms

Gluten-Free Tryout

Do a tryout of no gluten consumption for at least one week. See if your moods, sleep, skin, or cognitive abilities improve. You may very well be predisposed to Celiac Disease and not even know it.

We can now see how important it is to become conscious of what we put into our bodies. Many foods and drinks we eat do more than cause us to gain weight.

They affect us on many insidious levels that we are not aware of. Most diseases in the body and mind are lifestyle-driven.

Consuming too many toxic substances will ultimately affect our well-being. Take baby steps if you have to in the beginning. But I promise you that your natural well-being will return once you opt for a healthier lifestyle.

Gluten-Free lifestyle results

Improved ability to learn/ intelligence.
Improved interest in outside activities.
No more meds for depression and anxiety symptoms.
Improved moods with less crankiness.
Improved intellectual skills.
Easily meet daily challenges.
No more brain fog.
No more missing work or obligations.

Tryout for me

I will remove gluten from my diet for one week and test the results.

I believe that Celiac Disease is more widespread than I first thought to believe. I urge you to go gluten-free for seven days and see if you notice any improvement in your health. Please be sure to let me know.

Also, be sure to let your Doctor know that you will be trying this experiment before you do it and find out what he or she thinks about it.

Here is my article: One Week Without Gluten: A (Mostly) Delicious Detour

Update

I’ve given up all flour products, even gluten-free ones, since August 2016. I’m confident I will never intentionally eat flour again. My next health challenge is to give up sugar.

This past Christmas, my Aunt told me she is allergic to gluten, so it must run in my family. The question is, how come we are allergic to foods like flour, milk, and many other dietary staples?

It’s been over a year since I’ve eaten products made with wheat flour. I experimented to see if I could give up some of my favorite meals like donuts, pancakes, soft shell tacos, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, pasta marinara, and pizza.

It wasn’t hard to give up after my Doctor told me to lose some weight the last time I saw her.

I even found a cauliflower-crusted pizza in the grocery store too. It was a little pricey at $8.00, but it was tasty. I also had rice noodle pasta marinara a few times this past year.

Additional Resources

The Celiac Disease Foundation: https://celiac.org/
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/celiac-disease
Gluten Intolerance Group: https://gluten.org/

Conclusion

Celiac disease is a chronic autoimmune disorder with potentially serious consequences if left untreated. Recognizing the symptoms and understanding the genetic and environmental factors contributing to its development is crucial for early diagnosis and effective management.

If celiac disease is suspected, individuals should consult with healthcare professionals for appropriate testing and guidance on adopting a lifelong gluten-free diet, the primary and currently the only treatment for celiac disease.

By understanding the symptoms, causes, and management of celiac disease, we can confidently empower individuals to navigate their gluten-free journey and embrace a life filled with well-being and delicious possibilities.