Celiac Disease

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

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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

Photograph of a loaf of white bread on a cutting board

MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

National Institutes of Health

The primary NIH organization for research on Celiac Disease is the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Vaccinations Cleared in Babies' Celiac "Epidemic"

06/25/2012 08:00 PM EDT

A surge in celiac disease cases among babies and toddlers in Sweden was not related to childhood vaccinations, a new study finds.
Source: Reuters Health

Effects of High Blood Pressure Drug May Mimic Celiac Disease

06/21/2012 08:00 PM EDT

Some patients taking olmesartan developed chronic diarrhea and lost an average of 40 pounds: study
HealthDay news image