Gluten Intolerance - Celiac Disease
What Is Gluten Intolerance?
Coeliac disease is also known as gluten-sensitive enteropathy, as the ingestion of gluten causes an immune reaction in the small intestine of those with the disease. Damage to the small intestine increases over time and so the absorption of nutrients into the body of a sufferer correspondingly decreases. Iron, calcium and zinc are some of the nutrients that become deficient, though many others are also affected.
Sufferers of Crohn's Disease, Dermatitis and some other related diseases also suffer from an intolerance to gluten. A much higher proportion of the population may have a senstivity to it without being aware of this.
There is a strong genetic link in the development of all of these diseases. Triggers that may cause the onset include stress, and other health conditions.
Symptoms largely involve the digestive tract-stomach pain, constipation or diarrhea, and mouth ulcers. Other problems include joint pain, migraine or depression. Osteoporosis can develop, as those with Coeliac Disease do not absorb calcium properly. Sufferers also have a higher risk of developing other auto-immune diseases, such as diabetes or Addison's Disease.
Lactose intolerance is also common. The little hairs on the internal surface of the small intestine have a protein that aids in the breakdown of dairy products. These hairs, or 'villi', are damaged through eating gluten, and thus do not work as efficiently. If a sufferer continues to eat gluten, cancer of the bowel may become a further complication, and thus becomes a vital reason to adhere to a gluten-free diet.
Coeliac disease is also known as gluten-sensitive enteropathy, as the ingestion of gluten causes an immune reaction in the small intestine of those with the disease. Damage to the small intestine increases over time and so the absorption of nutrients into the body of a sufferer correspondingly decreases. Iron, calcium and zinc are some of the nutrients that become deficient, though many others are also affected.
Sufferers of Crohn's Disease, Dermatitis and some other related diseases also suffer from an intolerance to gluten. A much higher proportion of the population may have a senstivity to it without being aware of this.
There is a strong genetic link in the development of all of these diseases. Triggers that may cause the onset include stress, and other health conditions.
Symptoms largely involve the digestive tract-stomach pain, constipation or diarrhea, and mouth ulcers. Other problems include joint pain, migraine or depression. Osteoporosis can develop, as those with Coeliac Disease do not absorb calcium properly. Sufferers also have a higher risk of developing other auto-immune diseases, such as diabetes or Addison's Disease.
Lactose intolerance is also common. The little hairs on the internal surface of the small intestine have a protein that aids in the breakdown of dairy products. These hairs, or 'villi', are damaged through eating gluten, and thus do not work as efficiently. If a sufferer continues to eat gluten, cancer of the bowel may become a further complication, and thus becomes a vital reason to adhere to a gluten-free diet.
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