What is Celiac Disease?

What is Celiac Disease?

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that can occur in genetically predisposed people where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine. It is estimated to affect 1-100 people worldwide. 2.5 million americans are undiagnosed and are at risk for long term health complications.

People with celiac disease eat gluten, then their body mounts an immune response that attacks the small intestine. These attacks lead to damage on the villi, small fingerlike projections that line the small intestine, that promote nutrient absorption. When the villi get damaged, nutrients cannot be absorbed properly into the body.

Celiac disease is hereditary , meaning it runs in families as well. People with a first degree relative with celiac disease have a 1-10 risk of developing celiac disease. Celiac disease can develop at any age after people start eating foods or using medications that contain gluten.

When untreated, it can lead to additional serious health problems. These include auto immune disorders, type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, dermatitis herpetiformis an itchy skin rash, anemia, osteoporosis, infertility, epilepsy, migraines and intestinal cancers.

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