Coeliac disease is a disorder of the small intestine caused by an intolerance to gluten, a protein found in many grains, including wheat, barley, oats and rye.
Bread, pasta, pizza bases and biscuits are common foods that contain gluten, but gluten can be found in many other foods. Coeliac disease may cause you to have stomach pain, tiredness, constipation or diarrhea and bloating.
Coeliac disease is also known as gluten-sensitive enteropathy, gluten-induced enteropathy and nontropical sprue.
The inner surface (mucosa) of your small intestine is usually covered with small finger-like structures called villi. They absorb nutrients from your food. In coeliac disease, your body's immune system responds to gluten by attacking this area. This causes the area to become smooth and swollen, so there is less surface area for your food to be absorbed.
There is no known cause for coeliac disease, but it tends to mainly affect people of European ancestry, those of Celtic origin in particular. If someone in your family has coeliac disease, you are more likely to have it, with females affected more than males.
Inner surface of the small intestine, showing a smooth mucosa due to coeliac disease, compared to raised villi in a healthy mucosa.
Risk factors for developing coeliac disease include:
Each case of coeliac disease is different, but the following symptoms are common:
Coeliac disease can cause abdominal bloating and pain.
With coeliac disease, your body is unable to absorb some vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. This lack of nutrients (malnutrition) in your system can lead to certain complications, such as:
Children with coeliac disease may have additional symptoms, such as:
A skin inflammation that may cause redness, itchiness and swelling of the skin. There are different types of dermatitis.
A chemical substance secreted in one part of an organism and transported to another part of that organism, where it has a specific effect.
As coeliac disease symptoms often appear similar to those of other gastrointestinal disorders such as Crohn's disease, specific testing is required. A blood test alone is not enough to prove the presence of coeliac disease. A tissue biopsy is required for a definitive diagnosis.
This is usually done under light sedation and is a straightforward procedure. A thin, flexible, lit tube with a tiny camera (endoscope) at the end is inserted into the intestines via the mouth. The endoscope can take video, photos and tissue samples. A small sample of tissue is taken from the small intestine and sent for further testing to diagnose coeliac disease.
Small intestinal biopsy using an endoscope.
Your doctor may order a range of blood tests to find out if your body is creating antibodies that are commonly seen in coeliac disease. In coeliac disease, antibodies are produced when you eat gluten, which in turn cause damage to your small intestine. You need to continue eating gluten while you are being tested, so your doctor can see if you are reacting to it.
Your doctor may also want to check:
A stool test can check for undigested fats in your bowel movements, as this is a common finding in coeliac disease.
A protein molecule produced by the immune system. Antibodies bind specifically to foreign substances to neutralize them or target them for destruction.
A type of fat produced by the body that is necessary for metabolism.
A unit of inheritance (heredity) of a living organism. A segment of genetic material, typically DNA, that specifies the structure of a protein or related molecules. Genes are passed on to offspring so that traits are inherited, making you who you are and what you look like.
If you have coeliac disease, a lifelong gluten-free diet is the only current treatment option. Avoiding all foods, drinks and medications that contain rye, wheat and barley is key to avoiding gluten. Even if you are symptom-free for years, eating even a small amount of gluten can cause immediate painful cramping and diarrhea. It is very important to get a proper medical diagnosis before making any changes to your diet.
Many people with coeliac disease can tolerate oats as gluten-free versions are now available. A dietitian can help you discover where gluten is found in modern processed foods, and help you work out a suitable diet.
Medication is only used in severe cases of coeliac disease that have not responded to dietary changes. Corticosteroids, which reduce inflammation, may be given to you for a few months until your symptoms settle.
A body’s protective immune response to injury or infection. The accumulation of fluid, cells and proteins at the site of an infection or physical injury, resulting in swelling, heat, redness, pain and loss of function.
If left untreated, coeliac disease is associated with a wide range of complications:
Being unable to absorb certain nutrients, minerals and fats can lead to malnutrition, even though you may be eating a healthy diet. You may feel tired all the time, feel cold and find it difficult to build muscles. Children with coeliac disease may have delayed development, stunted growth and weakened tooth enamel.
If your malnutrition causes vitamin deficiencies, your doctor may suggest that you take vitamin supplements. If your intestines are very inflamed, you may need vitamin injections. Common suggested supplements may be vitamins D, K and B12, iron, calcium and folate.
Due to a lack of calcium and vitamin D in your diet, you may develop osteoporosis, which can lead to a higher risk of fractures.
There is a higher risk of developing bowel cancer and small intestine lymphoma if you do not follow a gluten-free diet. However, upon starting a gluten-free diet, this risk starts to decrease. You must always report any unusual bowel habits, such as bleeding, to your doctor.
When you have coeliac disease, you may also have trouble digesting dairy products (lactose intolerance). You may experience cramping and diarrhea and feel generally unwell. It is advisable to avoid these products until your intestines have healed, then slowly reintroduce them.
The inflammation caused by coeliac disease can sometimes affect other parts of your body, such as the joints, skin, liver, pancreas and the immune system.
There is a link between coeliac disease and developing some disorders of the nervous system, such as nerve damage and seizures.
Dermatitis, a non-contagious but distressing skin condition, is often seen with coeliac disease. This is most likely due to your body not absorbing all the essential nutrients your skin needs to be healthy.
Coeliac disease may lead to problems with fertility or to repeated miscarriage.
A skin inflammation that may cause redness, itchiness and swelling of the skin. There are different types of dermatitis.
A body’s protective immune response to injury or infection. The accumulation of fluid, cells and proteins at the site of an infection or physical injury, resulting in swelling, heat, redness, pain and loss of function.
A connecting surface or tissue between two bones.
An organ located behind the stomach that secretes insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream and digestive enzymes into the intestines.
Coeliac disease tends to start improving within days of starting a gluten-free diet. Your intestines slowly heal. In most adults, inflammation goes away within two years. In children the process can be much quicker, with recovery within 3-6 months and immediate symptoms disappearing within days. In general, if you stay away from gluten you can lead a relatively symptom-free life. With children who have coeliac disease, though, there may be long-term complications such as stunted growth or dental (tooth) damage.
A body’s protective immune response to injury or infection. The accumulation of fluid, cells and proteins at the site of an infection or physical injury, resulting in swelling, heat, redness, pain and loss of function.
There is currently no way of preventing coeliac disease, but if you have close family members with this condition, it may be advisable to report any digestive system symptoms to your doctor. If you do have coeliac disease, the sooner you get a diagnosis, the better.