Overview
Celiac disease is a long-term condition in which eating gluten — a protein in wheat, barley and rye — triggers the immune system to damage the lining of the small intestine, so nutrients are poorly absorbed. It is increasingly recognised in India. It can cause diarrhea, bloating, tiredness and, in children, poor growth, though some people have vague symptoms or anaemia alone. There is no medicine; the treatment is a strict lifelong gluten-free diet, which allows the gut to heal.
Symptoms
- Diarrhea, bloating and excess wind
- Tummy pain and discomfort after wheat-based foods
- Tiredness and iron-deficiency anaemia
- Weight loss, or poor growth in children
- Mouth ulcers and, in some, an itchy skin rash
When to see a doctor
See a doctor for ongoing digestive symptoms, unexplained anaemia, or poor growth in a child — get tested before starting a gluten-free diet.
Causes
An immune reaction to gluten in genetically susceptible people; it often runs in families and can appear at any age.