|
What is Celiac Disease, and is There a Special Celiac Disease Diet?What is the Cause of Celiac Disease ?
Celiac disease is an inherited autoimmune condition. It is related to two specific genes that you may have inherited from your parents. Each parent contributes one gene at the specific location on chromosome 6. If either or both of your parents contributed a DQ2 or a DQ8 gene, you are a potential celiac patient. There is no cure, but those diagnosed with it will need to follow a gluten free diet for the rest of their lives. This will control the antibody reaction and stop the damage of the small intestine that occurs in this disease.
The range of damage can be minor, or it can go as far as complete villous atrophy. Villous atrophy means that the small, hairlike projections of villi lining the small intestine are completely eroded away. These villi are very important for the absorption of vitamins and minerals from the foods you eat. Without them, the elements the body needs to function cannot be absorbed, no matter how well you eat. If you do not have a positive blood test, you may still have the genes for celiac disease. It can remain dormant in the body until something triggers it, like pregnancy, an illness, or stress.
Some people have symptoms of gluten sensitivity even though their
blood tests are negative. Gluten sensitivity occurs even among those without celiac genes. The difference is in the level of damage it can do in the small intestine for those who do carry the gene. You can read the symptoms by going to the navigation bar and using the symptom button. The same symptoms
apply to the entire spectrum of illness.
|
If you have a positive blood test, then the doctor will most likely order an intestinal biopsy to check for the level of intestinal damage. The results of this biopsy will be classified according to the Marsh system.
