Celiac Disease

URL of this page: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/celiacdisease.html

Also called: Celiac sprue, Gluten-sensitive enteropathy, Nontropical sprue

If you have celiac disease and eat foods with gluten, your immune system responds by damaging the small intestine. Gluten is a protein in wheat, rye and barley. It is found mainly in foods but may also be in other products like medicines, vitamins and even the glue on stamps and envelopes.

Celiac disease affects each person differently. Symptoms may occur in the digestive system, or in other parts of the body. One person might have diarrhea and abdominal pain, while another person may be irritable or depressed. Irritability is one of the most common symptoms in children. Some people have no symptoms.
Celiac disease is genetic. Blood tests can help your doctor diagnose the disease. Your doctor may also need to examine a small piece of tissue from your small intestine. Treatment is a diet free of gluten.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

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Celiac Disease: MedlinePlus

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Related Topics

Gluten in Medications, Vitamins, and SupplementsMon, 12 Dec 2011 15:41:39 -0600
Source: Celiac Disease Foundation - PDF
http://www.celiac.org/images/stories/PDF/gluten-in-meds.pdf

Lactose Intolerance and Celiac DiseaseMon, 12 Dec 2011 15:41:39 -0600
Source: Celiac Disease Foundation - PDF
http://www.celiac.org/images/stories/PDF/lactose-intolerance.pdf

Tax Deductions for CeliacsMon, 12 Dec 2011 15:41:39 -0600
Source: Celiac Disease Foundation

Tax Deductions for Celiacs