Celiac Disease
Celiac or Coeliac Disease, also known as celiac sprue or gluten-sensitive enteropathy, is a common condition where your immune system attacks your organs when you eat gluten (present in products containing wheat, barley and rye). In turn, this damages your gut over time and causes the inability to take in some nutrients, known as malabsorption. This can affect growth and development in children, alongside the symptoms listed below.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms can vary greatly from person to person and differ from children to adulthood.
Symptoms include:
Symptoms in adults include:
Chronic diarrhoea or constipation
Fatigue
Weight loss
Bloating
Gas
Abdominal pain
Growth issues
Pale stool with a foul smell
Fatty stool that floats
Nausea and vomiting
Depression or Anxiety
Muscle cramps
There are also signs and symptoms which are unrelated to digestion, which are less frequent but is sometimes seen in adults:
Anaemia, usually from iron deficiency
Loss of bone density (Osteoporosis) or softening of the bone (Osteomalacia)
Itchy, blistery skin rash (Dermatitis Herpetiformis)
Mouth ulcers
Headaches and fatigue
Nervous system injury, including numbness and tingling in the feet and hands, possible problems with balance, and cognitive impairment
Joint pain
Reduced functioning of the spleen (Hyposplenism)
Causes
Usually, the body’s immune system works well to protect it from invaders. When Coeliac sufferers eat gluten, their immune system attacks the lining of the intestine or gut. This causes swelling, which damages the villi (the hair-like structures on the lining of the small intestine) meaning that the person cannot absorb as many nutrients from their food.
Diagnosis
Tests may be carried out such as blood tests, genetic tests and biopsies to diagnose celiac disease. The blood will be checked for the presence of antibodies such as antigliadin and endomysial antibodies.
How it is treated conventionally?
There's no cure for celiac disease — but for most people, following a strict gluten-free diet can help manage symptoms and promote intestinal healing. Visiting a dietitian is recommended for diet instruction. It may take two to three years for the intestines and villi to heal as an adult.
How does Surrey Centre for Nutrition work with Celiac Disease?
Although the predominant treatment protocol for someone with Celiac disease is a lifelong avoidance of gluten, there is more that can be done and needs to be done to ensure the greatest support is given to Celiac sufferers. Using functional medicine approaches and testing I would look to identify other foods to which the client may be reactive which often includes a list of foods which we refer to as cross-reactive with gluten. Functional immune reactivity testing is often used to identify any foods which may be further triggering or mediating the disease process.
Gastrointestinal support is also fundamental and using specific targeted gastrointestinal protocols which may involve supplements and foods to support gastrointestinal healing, rebalance the microbiota of the gut and ensure appropriate digestion and absorption of nutrients will be required in most Celiac sufferers
As those with Celiac disease often present with nutritional deficiencies or insufficiencies due to poor absorption which may impact other aspects of their health, identifying and replenishing these nutrients is essential, and my approach is to apply nutritional testing where necessary and then support through food and supplements where necessary.
Are you ready to work with us to reach your health goals?
If you or someone you know is suffering from the symptoms or conditions listed above, Surrey Centre for Nutrition may be able to help. We typically work with clients for 3-6 months depending on your health concerns. Are you interested in working with us?
Book a discovery call to see how the Surrey Centre for Nutrition can help
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