Symptoms of Celiac Disease
Symptoms of Celiac Disease vary from person to person, but there are some things that you should know to help you determine if you have this disease. These are foods that may contain gluten, how to test for it, and treatments for it.
Genetics
Approximately 1% of the population is affected by celiac disease. It is also one of the most common food intolerances in Western populations. Although the disease has a multifactorial background, there is a strong genetic component.
It is believed that there are at least six different loci linked to the development of celiac disease. These loci are HLA-DQ2, DQB1, DQB1*0302, DQA1*0301, DQB1*0301, and DQB1*0302. The most common version of these genes is HLA-DQ2.
The HLA-DQ genes help the body recognize and respond to proteins. They also play an important role in autoimmune diseases. Combined with a high-risk version of HLA-DQ2, the risk of developing celiac disease increases.
The two most common genetic variants of the HLA-DQ2 and DQB1 genes are rs2187668 (T) and rs7454108 (G). The rs2187668 (T) genotype indicates a possibility of celiac disease. This variant is found in about 25% of European Caucasians.
The risk of developing celiac disease is greater in first-degree relatives of the patients. The frequency of disease among these relatives is up to 12-15%. The incidence is higher in monozygotic and fraternal twins. However, there is a significant difference in concordance between monozygotic and dizygotic twins.
The concordance of monozygotic twins is much higher than dizygotic twins. It is also higher in identical twins. Dizygotic twin concordance is less than 20%.
A study by Greco and colleagues compared 47 identical and dizygotic twin pairs with celiac disease. They cross-matched data from the national twin registry and a registry of celiac disease patients. They typed individuals for HLA class II DRB1 (142857) and HLA class III DQB1 (142863). They found that the incidence of celiac disease in monozygotic twins was higher than in dizygotic twins.
Detailed analysis of 98 families revealed that the risk of developing the celiac disease was strongly related to the HLA class II gene profile. It is likely that non-HLA-linked genes play a more important role in the development of the disease than HLA-linked genes.
The study confirmed that the CELIAC8 locus on chromosome 3p21 is associated with celiac disease. However, it found no evidence that the HLA-DQ8 gene is associated with the severity of the disease.
Foods that may contain gluten
Those with Celiac disease are advised to avoid foods that may contain gluten. While many foods are naturally gluten-free, others can be contaminated during processing. You should always check the ingredients list of foods you are planning to consume. If you are not sure if a food contains gluten, speak with a health care provider or pharmacist.
Gluten is a protein found in grains and some other foods. It is not necessary for your diet but can cause sensitivities in the digestive tract. It is often used in processed foods.
Foods that may contain gluten for Celiac disease include most baked goods, pasta, and crackers. You can also find gluten in processed foods like potato chips and flavored corn chips.
Many packaged foods contain gluten as a coating or as a binding agent. If you are allergic to gluten, you can find gluten-free versions of these foods in your local grocery store or health food store.
Some foods are naturally gluten-free, such as eggs and potatoes. You can also find gluten-free baked goods in supermarkets and health food stores. You may also want to check labels for hidden gluten sources.
You should also check the label of supplements you take to make sure they are safe for you to take. Some contain wheat or other grains as fillers. If you are taking prescription medications, check with your healthcare provider to make sure you don’t have a reaction to gluten.
You can also find gluten in other foods, like imitation seafood. Some imitation crab products use yeast extract to give them a flavor. You can also find gluten in flavored coffees, teas, and ice cream.
You may also want to avoid foods that may contain gluten if you have dermatitis herpetiformis. This is a skin rash that is often caused by gluten. You may also experience blisters.
Other foods that may contain gluten for the Celiac disease are processed meats and soy sauce. You can also find gluten in some salad dressings and flavored coffees. You may also want to avoid foods that may be cross-contaminated, like tortilla chips.
Tests to diagnose celiac disease
Detecting the presence of the celiac disease has become a lot easier with the advent of new tests. Some of these tests are blood tests, endoscopies, and genetic tests. These tests are also used to identify people with a high risk of developing celiac disease. These tests are reliable and help people identify foods to avoid.
The tests to diagnose celiac disease look for specific antibodies that are produced by the body’s immune system in response to gluten. The presence of these antibodies will confirm the diagnosis of celiac disease.
There are two different types of blood tests used to diagnose celiac disease. One is the total serum IgA (TSIgA) test. The other is the tissue transglutaminase (tTG) test. The tTG test is much cheaper and more accurate than the TSIgA test. It is also covered by most health insurance companies.
The blood test that is most commonly used to diagnose celiac disease is the tTG test. It is inexpensive and easy to administer. This test is accurate in most cases and is recommended by the American College of Gastroenterology. However, it is not accurate in children under two years of age.
Genetic tests look for the presence of HLA DQ2 or DQ8. These genes play an important role in the disease. These genes affect the ability of the body’s proteases to break down proteins.
The tests to diagnose celiac are not always accurate. Some tests may show positive results, but these results may delay the diagnosis of the disease. They can also cause more serious health problems. These tests can also miss people who do not have celiac disease.
There are also some tests that aren’t used as often as others. The anti-gliadin IgA antibody test is one of the least used tests. The reason is that these tests have high false-negative results.
Other tests that can be used to diagnose the celiac disease are endoscopies and biopsies. These tests look at the small intestine and analyze the villi. This is important because the villi help absorb nutrients from food. The intestine can also be damaged by gluten.
Treatment
Those who suffer from celiac disease can get a better quality of life by avoiding gluten. The disease causes inflammation in the small intestine, which leads to the malabsorption of nutrients. It is also a risk factor for several types of cancer. However, there is no known cure for the disease.
If you think you may have celiac disease, your doctor can do some tests to help confirm the diagnosis. Some of the tests include blood tests to look for abnormal antibodies. Depending on the results, the doctor may also order a small bowel biopsy.
If your doctor finds that you have celiac disease, you will need to avoid gluten from your diet. It may also be helpful to consult a dietitian to help you plan a healthy gluten-free diet.
After you start a gluten-free diet, your symptoms will gradually improve. However, it can take several months or even years before your symptoms fully disappear. You should visit your doctor regularly to make sure your symptoms have improved.
You may also need to take supplements. These are usually taken in pill form. They can include vitamin D and calcium. Your doctor may also prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs such as budesonide or dapsone. These medications will reduce inflammation in the small intestine.
If you are diagnosed with celiac disease, you should not eat foods that contain gluten, such as wheat, barley, rye, and oats. You may also need to get regular vitamin and mineral supplements. These can be given in pill form or in liquid form.
If your symptoms are severe, your doctor may prescribe steroids. They are a type of anti-inflammatory drug that is taken orally. The steroids will ease your symptoms while your intestine heals. If your symptoms do not improve, you may need to have a second biopsy taken.
Those who have celiac disease may also have other autoimmune disorders. These diseases can affect the intestines as well, which can lead to ulcerative jejunitis. If left untreated, this complication can lead to weight loss, diarrhea, and lack of appetite.
The most effective way to treat celiac disease is to avoid gluten. It is a good idea to talk to your doctor about the types of foods you should avoid and the types of supplements you should take.
Health Sources:
Health A to Z. (n.d.). HSE.ie. https://www2.hse.ie/az/
U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
Directory Health Topics. (n.d.). https://www.healthline.com/directory/topics
Health A-Z. (2022, April 26). Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/health-a-z-4014770
Harvard Health. (2015, November 17). Health A to Z. https://www.health.harvard.edu/health-a-to-z
Health Conditions A-Z Sitemap. (n.d.). EverydayHealth.com. https://www.everydayhealth.com/conditions/
