What Should You Know About Celiac Disease?
5/5/2023
Do you experience GI (gastrointestinal) issues after consuming gluten-containing items? Gastrointestinal concerns that manifest after consuming gluten, like diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, bloating, and greasy stools, may be due to celiac disease. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that stimulates an irregular immune response to the protein in grains known as gluten. An immune response is triggered when gluten is ingested, causing unpleasant effects. Although there is no cure for celiac disease, the gastrointestinal doctors at GastroGroup and Endocenter in Louisiana can detect and treat celiac disease symptoms.
In what ways does celiac disease impact your body?
Those who believe they may have celiac disease should always obtain a proper diagnosis and medical treatment from a trusted gastrointestinal doctor. This condition could damage the body in the event the condition is left undiagnosed and untreated. This GI condition can chronically impact the small bowel, where a person's body absorbs most vitamins and other nutrients. When the protein gluten is absorbed in the small bowel, it causes the immune system to react. The body then activates antibodies to defend against it. These antibodies could damage the mucosa in your small intestine, impacting your body's ability to collect nutrients from food products.
Other possible long-term effects of celiac disease include:
- Disease of the liver
- Weakened immune system
- Scarring or ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract
- Increased risk of intestinal cancer
- Manifestation of new food intolerances
Are there any effective treatment options for celiac disease?
Overall, eliminating gluten from your diet is the best approach to address celiac disease. Once you’ve been diagnosed with celiac disease, it’s possible to put a stop to additional symptoms once you stop eating gluten. Over time, your intestinal lining should begin to heal and once again be able to sustain nutrients. Since there is no cure for this disease, those with the disease might have to hold to a diet free of gluten for the rest of their life to keep the damage to the small intestine. Some treatments that may be suggested involve:
- Medication
- Continued follow-up care
- Nutritional supplements
- Corticosteroids
If you are looking for celiac disease treatment in Louisiana, the gastrointestinal doctors at GastroGroup and Endocenter are here to help. While the most effective treatment method for celiac disease is a gluten-free diet, you should have been diagnosed with celiac disease before cutting out gluten completely to determine if it even negatively affects you.
Celiac disease vs. gluten intolerance: How do they compare?
Without proper knowledge, celiac disease and gluten intolerance might seem similar. It’s true; they both lead to uncomfortable gastro symptoms after eating gluten. However, the similarities don’t go further than that. As mentioned, celiac disease can cause an abnormal body response that may negatively affect the GI tract in time. Gluten intolerance is uncomfortable, but it should not lead to long-term digestive tract damage. It can usually be alleviated with digestive enzyme supplements that are known to reduce symptoms. The symptoms of gluten intolerance and celiac disease symptoms are basically identical; therefore, if you have symptoms after eating gluten, we suggest visiting a digestive health professional to establish which GI condition you have.
Find assistance with celiac disease in Louisiana
At GastroGroup and Endocenter, our team is dedicated to elevating celiac disease awareness. Every 1 in 133 people gets a diagnosis of celiac disease. A celiac disease diagnosis can completely change how you live, typically for the best. Once you’ve removed gluten from your diet, your body can heal from the damage caused by eating gluten. While your body heals, the risk of getting any of the previously mentioned long-term effects decreases. To request a consultation, reach out to a GastroGroup and Endocenter location near you. You can count on our gastrointestinal doctors in Louisiana to help preserve and protect your digestive wellness.