If you're one of the lucky few who are aware of their food sensitivity, then you'd have already ridden the merry-go-round trying to find alternatives. One of the most common food intolerances is for Gluten and it's not always easy to spot. You feel awful, but aren't sure why. Here's the low-down about the condition - call Coeliac Disease.
What is Coeliac Disease?
Coeliac Disease is a condition that affects the small bowel, caused by an abnormal immune response, or sensitivity, to a dietary protein known as gluten. Gluten is found in wheat, rye and barley, and possibly oats. Sensitivity to gluten causes inflammation and damage to the small intestine, and sometimes the damage is so severe that the intestine is unable to absorb essential nutrients, leading to malnutrition.
What are the Symptoms?
The symptoms of Coeliac Disease vary widely from person to person. Some people may have no symptoms at all, while others complain of tiredness or gastrointestinal symptoms. Some of the more common symptoms include:
Tiredness
Intermittent Diarrhoea
Abdominal pain or cramping
Indigestion
Flatulence
Bloating
Weight loss
Children with Coeliac Disease may also have slow growth or weight loss, irritability, a swollen abdomen and delayed development.
Some people with Coeliac Disease will also have conditions relating to the malabsorption of certain nutrients from the diet. A lack of vitamin D can cause osteomalacia — a condition resulting in soft, fragile bones, also known as rickets in children; and decreased calcium and vitamin D can cause osteoporosis - a loss of bone density that makes bones weak and more prone to fractures. A lack of iron, folate or vitamin B12 can cause anaemia.
How is Coeliac Disease diagnosed?
Coeliac Disease can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are so variable. If your doctor suspects you have this condition, he or she may order blood tests to check for certain antibodies.
Is there any treatment for Coeliac Disease?
There is no cure for Coeliac Disease, but it can be treated with a gluten-free diet. Most people find that once gluten is excluded from their diet, their symptoms improve dramatically because the inflammation in the small intestine resolves, and any damage to its lining can heal. People with Coeliac Disease need to stick to the gluten-free diet for the rest of their lives to prevent further inflammation.
Coeliacs Contact Information
It’s Coeliac Awareness Week from 13-20 March. For more information you can contact The Queensland Coeliac Society - a non-profit organisation, run by devoted volunteers to support others that suffer with Coeliac Disease and related conditions.
Phone: (07) 3839 5404
www.qld.coeliac.org.au