Celiac disease is a long-term condition where eating gluten hurts your small intestine. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. When people with celiac disease eat gluten, their immune system attacks the lining of their small intestine. As a result, the body can’t absorb nutrients properly. This can cause both stomach and other health problems.
What is Celiac Disease?
Celiac disease is something you are born with. It happens when your immune system reacts the wrong way to gluten.
This reaction harms tiny parts of the small intestine called villi. These help your body absorb nutrients from food. When villi get damaged, it becomes hard for your body to get what it needs from food. Over time, this can lead to malnutrition and other health issues.
Types of Celiac Disease
- Classic Celiac Disease: You may have problems like diarrhea, stomach pain, or bloating.
- Non-Classic Celiac Disease: Presents with non-gastrointestinal symptoms like anemia, osteoporosis, or neurological issues.
- Silent Celiac Disease: You may feel fine, but your intestines are damaged.
- Refractory Celiac Disease: A rare form where symptoms persist despite following a strict gluten-free diet.
How Common is Celiac Disease?
Celiac disease affects about 1 out of every 100 people around the world. It is more common in people with European ancestry. It can show up at any age, but many adults are diagnosed later in life. Because symptoms can be mild or confusing, many people don’t even know they have it.
Common Symptoms
- Chronic diarrhea or constipation
- Stomach pain and bloating
- Losing weight without trying
- Feeling tired or weak
- Low iron levels or anemia
- Pain in your bones or joints
- Itchy skin rashes
- Headache or numbness in the legs
Common Causes
- Family History: If others in your family have it, you are more likely to get it too.
- Immune Reaction: Your immune system attacks your intestines when you eat gluten.
- Other Triggers: Illness, infections, or how early you started eating gluten may also play a role.
