Celiac Disease

general description

• Celiac Disease is a problem some people have with foods that contain gluten. Gluten is a type of protein. It is found in the grains wheat, barley & rye. When you have this disease & you eat food with gluten in it, the gluten triggers a abnormal immune response, & it damages your small intestine.

Affects gender, age, or nationality?

• Develops at any age
• Affects 1 in 100 people world wide

Genetic Inheritance

• Tends to cluster in families. Parents, siblings, or children of people with celiac disease have between 4 & 15 % chance of developing the disorder.
• However, the inheritance pattern is unknown.

Treatments?

• Can't be cured
• But the mainstay of treatment is a gluten-free diet that can help manage symptoms & promote intestinal healing

Life expectancy after being diagnosed

• With treatment celiac disease is rarely fatal, if managed properly most people will have a normal life expectancy.
• However, if not treated with a gluten-free diet then damage that is caused to small intestine will continue & could be life threatening.