Receiving a disease diagnosis isn’t usually a good thing. But for people who
learn they have celiac disease, the news often comes as a relief.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder in which the body overreacts to gluten,
a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. When celiacs ingest gluten, their
immune system attacks the hairlike villi lining their small intestines,
hampering their ability to absorb nutrients to disperse to the bloodstream.
While diarrhea, bloating, constipation and vomiting are short-term hallmarks of
celiac disease, the malabsorption of nutrients can lead to longer-term problems,
including weakened bones, anemia and neurological problems. Celiacs are also at
increased risk of gastrointestinal cancers, among other diseases.
Left unchecked, celiac disease can even lead to death. Recent research suggests
that the disease is far more common than had been believed, affecting as many as
one in 133 people.
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The Modesto Bee
