Celiac Disease Description and Treatment

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Causes of Celiac Disease
Effects of Celiac Disease
Prevalence of Celiac Disease
Background of Celiac Disease
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Treatment
Conclusion
References

Introduction

Celiac disease affects human small intestines. This disease is caused by several factors accelerated by the presence of genetic predisposition to the development of the ailment. This means that there are hereditary factors that determine the probability of an individual developing the disease. The disease may be symptomatic or asymptomatic depending on the afflicted individual. Celiac disease is also known to cause infant death (Fasano et al., 2008).

Causes of Celiac Disease

The disease results from an allergic reaction in the small intestines. This reaction is due to a protein substance found in some grains. The protein material from the grains, which is usually an enzyme, interacts with the wall of the small intestine and changes the protein structure of the lining. The immune system reacts on detecting the changes. Consequently, the wall of the small intestines becomes inflamed. In addition, the lining of the small intestines is altered such that nutrients cannot be absorbed efficiently (Fasano et al, 2008). The inflammation of the small intestine causes changes to the structure of the villi. The most evident of the changes is the damage of the tip and the surface of the villi.

Several protein substances that are essential to the immune system are directly linked to celiac disease. Some of these substances react to the enzymes produced by some grains of the wheat family, causing inflammation of the alimentary canal. The fact that the occurrence of the substances aiding the immune system is determined by the genome of an individual makes the disease a hereditary ailment.

Effects of Celiac Disease

Celiac disease injures the small intestines, and may cause cancerous growths to develop after a long time of affliction. Symptoms similar to those exhibited by victims of malnutrition develop in most of the patients. This is due to the damage of the alimentary canal, which makes it inefficient in absorption of minerals and nutrients. Ulcers in the alimentary canal may cause bleeding (Smith, 2007). When the disease affects a child, the infant may experience stunted growth at various stages of development. The increased growth rate experienced by normal individuals at various stages of development is delayed in case of the celiac disease patients. Celiac disease patients are also prone to development of diabetes mellitus, autism, infertility, underdevelopment of the spleen, and disorders of the skin (Smith, 2007).

Prevalence of Celiac Disease

People who develop celiac disease have a certain allele that acts as a common characteristic of the people with the disease. It is thought that the presence of the allele is the primary factor determining the development of the disorder. However, five percent of the people with celiac disease do not have the allele that is common in celiac disease patients. In this essence, several factors play essential roles in the development of the disorder. Consequently, varying combinations of the factors cause the disease, with the presence of the causative allele being one of the major factors. Of all people who have the allele that causes the disease, ninety-five percent inherit the trait from the family tree. If the gene is acquired from two parents, the risk of developing the disease increases, and the severity of the disorder is usually pronounced (Fasano et al, 2008).

Background of Celiac Disease

Prevalence of the disease is not uniform. There is a significant difference of its occurrence with change of geographical locations. Some continents have a higher rate of occurrence of the disease. The allele that causes the disease is present in several regions of Africa and Europe. The same gene is responsible for the disease in the Indian subcontinent. Some ethnic tribes in the lower parts of North America and South America have a high prevalence of the disease (Fasano et al., 2008). In these ethnic groups, the genotype that predisposes people to the condition is present in almost all individuals in the population. An average estimate determines that one among a thousand people of the world’s population has celiac disease. People of oriental or African origin are less prone to the disease due to genetic factors. Thus, the disease is rarely present in the localities where the majority of the population is oriental or African (Fasano et al, 2008).

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Endoscopy is recommended for most of the patients of the disease for an accurate diagnosis. The lining of the duodenum may show some nodules, while cracking of the mucosa in an irregular pattern is typical in most patients. Optical observation of the bowels reveals that patients usually have a small alimentary canal, probably due to scarring caused by frequent ulcers. Blood tests may also indicate presence of the disease if proportions of blood content seem abnormal (Smith, 2007). In addition, abnormalities in other parts of the body such as the liver and the spleen may indicate presence of the disease. Almost all patients of celiac disease have some kind of deficiency, which usually varies from one patient to another. Disorders related to malnutrition and mineral deficiencies are common in celiac disease patients. Thus, a patient suffering from nutritional deficiency without an apparent reason should be investigated for the presence of celiac disease (Smith, 2007).

Early detection of the disease helps in management of the disorders related to it. Serology is one of the most effective methods of investigating for the presence of the disease. This method is sensitive and may reveal a condition that might not have been detected using other methods. Heart disease, diabetes and a myriad of other disorders related to celiac disease can be avoided with early detection. Presence of disorders related to the disease warrants examination of the patient in question for the disease. A combination of tests may be recommended to ascertain the presence of the disease in people showing symptoms of disorders related to celiac disease.

Treatment

There is no known cure for celiac disease. However, the disease can be managed throughout a lifetime of diet restriction. The diet of a patient of celiac disease must not contain gluten for proper control of the disease. If the diet is observed strictly as recommended, all symptoms of the disease may subside. In this essence, the effects of celiac disease on the patients depend on the ability of the patient to adhere to the recommended diet (Blumer & Crowe, 2010). With proper management of celiac disease, the alimentary canal heals, and all other disorders may finally be eliminated.

Males are more responsive to treatment of celiac disease that women. Some patients are not responsive to treatment of celiac disease, and may not heal even after observing a diet free of gluten. This may be a result of prolonged presence of the disease and extensive damage to the alimentary canal. In some cases, persistence of the symptoms of the disease may be due to presence of traces of the particular proteins that aggravate the condition of the alimentary canal (Blumer & 2010).

Conclusion

To avoid deterioration of quality of life, scientists are striving to develop food from grains of the wheat family, which does not contain the proteins that cause allergic reactions. This is being done through genetic engineering (Fasano et al., 2008).

References

Blumer, I., & Crowe, S. (2010). Celiac disease for dummies. Ontario: J. Wiley & Sons Canada.

Fasano, A., Troncone, R., & Branski, D. (2008). Frontiers in celiac disease. Basel: Karger.

Smith, T. L. (2007). Frequently asked questions about celiac disease. New York: Rosen Pub..

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