Celiac Disease Unit 4: Assign 2- Disorders Affecting the Immune System April 9, 2013 Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder. It affects the small intestine in the person’s body. It can affect people who have been linked genetically or pre-disposed from infancy to adulthood (www. mayoclinic. com). This disease can be asymptomatic. Which means that the person can be a carrier of this disease and pass it on to their children. The carrier would not have any symptoms of this disease or even know they are a carrier.
Celiac disease can affect 1 in 105 people in the United States (www. webmd. com). Celiac disease is caused by a reaction to gliadin, or a gluten protein. The gluten protein is found in wheat, barley, rye, and oats. When the person affected with this disease is exposed or ingests the gluten protein, their immune system has an inflammatory reaction in the small bowel. The inflammatory reaction can be an acute or chronic response within the bowel tissue. The inflammation in the small bowel blocks the person’s ability to absorb vital nutrients from their food (www. ebmd. com). Signs and symptoms of Celiac disease can range from mild to severe. Diarrhea is the most common symptom of this disease. Abdominal pain, bloating, cramping, and distention of the abdominal wall from gas are also other signs/symptoms of Celiac disease. The blocking or malabsorptio of nutrients such as Calcium and Vitamin D can lead to weight loss, fatigue, and anemia. The person can then get mouth ulcerations as well, and become lactose intolerant.
As the disease continues to progress it can cause more damage and it puts the person at risk for small intestine cancer (adenocarcinoma) or Lymphoma. If left untreated Celiac disease can also lead to more complications within the affected person. Some of the complications they would experience are, ulcerations and strictures in the bowel (www. webmd. com). The only affective treatment for Celiac disease is a lifelong goal of diet change. Once diagnosis has been confirmed gluten must be completely removed from the person’s diet.
Certain diets that are gluten free will need to be followed to prevent inflammation. Depending on the extent of the damage done, or the stage of progression there may need to be more strict changes to follow. There are websites and support groups to help people become educated with the steps necessary to prevent further flare ups from this condition. The first step to becoming aware of this disease is to be seen by your physician if you are having any of the above signs and symptoms (www. csaceliacs. com). www. mayoclinic. com,2013. www. webmd. com,2013.