FAQ

 

1. Does celiac disease is a result of an allergy or intolerance?

Celiac disease does not resemble the “classic” allergies and is qualified as intolerance. In both processes involved in more or less related to our immune system elements, but so differently that celiac disease differs radically from the “classical” allergies.

2. What is the effect of the gluten in the body of a celiac person?   

Today we know that it is not a single cause. The disease arises through a combination of factors: the ingestion of gluten, the existence of a genetic predisposition, and abnormalities in the structure of the small intestine, that make your wall unusually permeable. In addition to gluten intake, are considered risk factors the absence of breastfeeding and the presence of intestinal infections or digestive stress.

3. The children of a celiac do are more likely to be also celiac?

Yes. Although celiac disease has a certain hereditary component, it is not transmitted in a predictable way. In general, who has a close relative celiac (father, mother, son, daughter…) has a probability of 1 in 10 of being also celiac (rather more that 1% of people that exists among the population).

4. Who should be done the analysis to find out if they are celiac?

Any individual having suspicious clinical manifestations of celiac disease or associated with celiac disease. The first-degree relatives of celiac patients must be studied to rule out celiac disease.

5.  What are the symptoms of celiac disease?

This is a “multisystem” disorder whose symptoms vary widely from patient to patient and can affect any part of the body. They are highly variable from person to person and can range from mild to very severe. In adults, the disease can present with classic digestive symptoms . While most often consult the doctor for refractory iron deficiency, anemia , dyspepsia , constipation , irritable bowel , bone and joint pain , infertility , recurrent abortions , malnutrition , etc. .

6. And what are the symptoms in children?

In the young child the clinical picture varies depending on the time of gluten introduction in the diet. The most common symptoms are chronic diarrhea, abdominal distension, vomiting, poor appetite, irritability and lassitude, weight stagnation and stunted. In older children and adolescents may have no digestive symptoms and the disease presented as a rebel iron deficiency anemia with oral iron treatment, constipation, short stature and delayed menarche (menstruation).

7. How long is expected that it may take until they find me well once started a gluten-free diet?

This time varies depending on people. In general, most get better within a few days, to be precise a few weeks for be referred symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, abdominal distension, loss of weight and appetite, etc.

There also may be some “ups and downs” in its work towards the goal of eliminating all gluten from their diet. Usually there is a learning curve for the pursuit of food, drinks and safe pharmaceutical products and those containing gluten. For those who have celiac disease for many years without knowing it, and had severe damage in your small intestine, it is likely that it may take years to feel completely well.

Also you will discover that you have other intolerances to foods such as soy or dairy products, which can imitate their reactions to gluten.

8. Can the fact of not being able to consume gluten cause some damage in the normal development of the individuals concerned?

No. Gluten is not at all a protein necessary, and can be replaced by other vegetable proteins or animals without affecting the substitution in the least the normal metabolism of the organism.

9. Is it true that celiac disease is a disease that is only detected in childhood?

It is totally false. It can develop at any age of life, in people with genetic risk to suffer it and do consume gluten.

10. Is it true that you must be thin to be diagnosed as celiac?

No. In fact, there are obese celiac.

11. Does celiac disease be cured?

No. Celiac disease has no cure, so the risk of bowel injury remains throughout life. However, celiac person who correctly follow treatment is healthy eating “different.”

12. >What is the most effective treatment?

The only effective treatment is a gluten free diet, and should be followed throughout life.

13. Does the CD is easily diagnosed: a simple blood test?

The CD can be easily confused as it may present with constipation, abdominal pain, anemia, etc. and not with the classic symptoms described as diarrhea, loss of appetite, delayed weight and height in children and malnutrition both in children and in adults with or without steatorrhea. Furthermore, blood tests including immunological serum markers (antigliadin, endomysial and especially anti-tissue transglutaminase) can serve to suspect the existence of the disease when positive. However, normality or negativity does not rule the disease. Therefore, the only reliable test is the intestinal biopsy while the patient is taking gluten.

14. Does intestinal biopsy is a complex surgical procedure and requires general anesthesia?

The intestinal biopsy is a very simple technique sometimes somewhat annoying but not painful. When it is performed by a qualified team, is a sure proof tolerated with minimal discomfort and without requiring any anesthetic, even in children of all ages.

15. Suspecting CD should be started a gluten free diet?

Removing gluten from the diet, before the first intestinal biopsy may pose a risk to prolong the time needed to reach the final diagnosis. With this diet, improved mucosal lesions and symptoms may disappear for long periods of time, even after reintroducing gluten in food. Patients may have a clinical response to diet for reasons other than the EC and, conversely, some may have celiac questionable response to diet, because there are other situations besides gluten intolerance (impaired lactose, overgrowth of intestinal flora, etc.) requiring further treatment temporarily with the withdrawal of gluten from the diet, which must be maintained throughout life.