All you need to know about Celiac Disease: Understand the Symptoms, Triggers, and Necessary Dietary Changes!
Introduction:
Celiac disease represents a chronic autoimmune disorder. It affects millions of people across the world, and in this blog post, I will try to explain the following:
What is Celiac disease?
What are some common trigger foods?
What dietary changes can help reduce the symptoms?
Are there any available medications on the market for people with celiac disease?
Before proceeding with this blog, I would like to clarify that both terms Celiac and Coeliac are correct. The first term is used in British English, and the 2nd is used more commonly in North America.
I would also like to clarify that both people with celiac disease but also people that do not have celiac disease can have issues with gluten, and we will discuss it in more detail in this blog!
What is Celiac Disease?
Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition triggered when people consume gluten-containing foods.
What is Gluten?
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye.
What happens when individuals that have celiac disease consume gluten?
When people with celiac disease consume gluten, their immune system attacks the lining of their small intestine, drastically reducing the body's capacity to absorb nutrients, leading to various symptoms and leading to long-term complications if left untreated.
Symptoms of Celiac Disease
Celiac disease can have various symptoms that can differ from person to person. The most common symptoms include:
Problems with digestion: stomach pain, bloatedness, diarrhea, constipation, and even nausea.
Nutritional Deficiencies: Weight loss that is hard to explain, anemia (iron deficiency), fatigue, and widespread vitamin deficiencies (vitamin D, iron, and calcium).
Problems with skin: blistering and itchy skin rash called dermatitis herpetiformis.
Pain in the joints: Inflammation and pain.
Neurological Symptoms: headaches, peripheral neuropathy (tingling or numbness in the extremities), and coordination difficulties.
Changes in mood and mood disorders: Depression, anxiety, and irritability.
Foods That Trigger Celiac Disease Symptoms
The only way to manage this disease is to find the trigger foods and eliminate them from your diet. The most common trigger for people with celiac disease is gluten-containing foods.
Which are the common gluten-containing foods?
Wheat Products: Bread, cereals, pasta, croissants, and other baked goods.
Barley Products: Beer, Malt, and even certain types of soups.
Rye Products: Bread, crackers, and some cereals like muesli.
Sometimes people are very good at removing gluten-containing foods from their diet. However, a common concern is food cross-contamination. That occurs when foods that contain gluten get in contact with other products during the production process. Cross-contamination can happen during the processing of food, handling, or cooking. That's why it is essential to read labels when buying processed foods to be 100% sure that your food is gluten-free and not contaminated.
Important Note:
Oats do not contain gluten but are often contaminated during the production process with other gluten-containing grains, so it is essential to check if your oats are labeled gluten-free.
Dietary Changes to Reduce Symptoms of Celiac Disease
The only effective way to manage celiac disease is to go on a strict lifelong gluten-free diet. Eliminating gluten will alleviate the symptoms and support intestinal healing:
Eat only natural, gluten-free foods like lean meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and gluten-free grains. Below are some dietary changes you should consider:
Gluten-free grains are: rice, quinoa and corn.
Make sure you read labels: this step is essential to avoid eating processed foods that have been cross-contaminated.
Be careful when eating out: ask for gluten-free options and preparation methods. Many restaurants offer gluten-free menus or gluten-friendly alternatives, but still, foods can get contaminated accidentally.
Be meticulous when it comes to your food choices. Devote some time to educate yourself: be informed about hidden sources of gluten, such as sauces, dressings, and processed foods. Also, stay up to the trend with the newest medications on the market that can help you alleviate symptoms of celiac disease and heal your intestinal wall linings. More about medications in the continuation of this blog!
Medications for Symptom Management:
The primary treatment for celiac disease is a gluten-free diet. In addition to that, some medications can be used to ease some specific symptoms or complications related to celiac disease:
Digestive enzyme supplements can help the body break down gluten. However, they do not represent a substitute for a gluten-free diet.
Corticosteroids: these medications may be prescribed to reduce intestinal inflammation. However, I never advise long-term use due to the potential side effects.
Probiotics: healthy gut bacteria can promote gut health and support your digestion. Probiotics do not treat celiac disease but can help your gastrointestinal system.
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): ibuprofen or naproxen are sometimes prescribed by doctors to alleviate joint pain and inflammation associated with celiac disease. Due to their potential side effects, I am not a big fan of NSAIDs.
Important note:
Medications should only be used as a side tool to support your body. At the same time, the main course of action should be a gluten-free diet, lifestyle changes, the introduction of exercise (both resistance training and cardio), and better stress management.
Other important considerations:
Diagnosis
If you think you might have celiac disease, please seek medical evaluation before diagnosing yourself. However, if you opt for a gluten-free diet, you immediately know that it will now harm you as you have a variety of gluten-free foods that can provide your body with all the nutrients it needs to thrive.
The diagnosis of celiac disease involves a blood test to check for specific antibodies and might require a small intestine biopsy to confirm the condition.
Gluten Sensitivity vs. Celiac Disease
It is essential to distinguish between celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity. These two diseases have some similar symptoms. However, non-celiac gluten sensitivity does not cause the same intestinal damage as celiac disease. Still, people with gluten sensitivity will experience symptoms when they consume gluten-containing foods and benefit most from a gluten-free diet. (abs we need to add a link here to the blog related to gluten-free diet plan)
Ongoing Monitoring
If you are diagnosed with celiac disease, ensure that you have regular check-ups with a healthcare professional so that they can continuously monitor your progress, ensure that you are absorbing food and not having nutrient deficiencies, and can help guide you and inform you about the latest trends and medications on the market related to treating symptoms of celiac disease.
Support and Education
You can join some of the existing support groups and seek guidance from registered dietitians or personal trainers with education and experience in working with people with celiac disease. Support groups, dietitians, and trainers will provide callable information and act as accountability and emotional support during your journey!
What is refractory celiac disease?
Refractory celiac disease (RCD) represents a rate but challenging version of celiac disease. It happens in individuals with celiac disease who still keep experiencing symptoms even after going on an entirely gluten-free diet.
In people with RCD, the inflammation in the small intestine persists and worsens over time, and the body's immune response often becomes stronger, even on a strict no-gluten diet.
Two types of refractory celiac disease exist type I and type II.
- Type I:
The intestinal cells show some positive responses to a gluten-free diet for this type of RDC. However, there is still persistent damage. With more aggressive dietary modifications, one could control symptoms and slowly reduce inflammation.
- Type II:
With type two RDC, the story is, unfortunately, different. This type of disease is recognizable by an abnormal type of immune cell called lymphocytes. These cells can become cancerous and can lead to a condition called enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma (EATL). This type of celiac disease requires an intense protocol that includes medical treatments, including chemotherapy or other treatments that control cancerous cell growth.
To diagnose RDC, your intestinal damage should persist even after some time on a strict gluten-free diet. You should also perform a blood test, often an intestinal biopsy, and sometimes your healthcare professional might recommend genetic testing.
Conclusion
Celiac disease is a chronic autoimmune condition that your lifelong commitment to a strict gluten-free diet can only treat. With the knowledge about the symptoms and trigger foods, and by making necessary lifestyle and dietary changes, individuals with celiac disease can, in most cases, effectively manage their symptoms, promote gut healing, and prevent any long-term complications.
If you suspect you have celiac disease, consult a healthcare professional to get the proper diagnosis. Still, in the meanwhile, you can also test a gluten-free diet for some time and see if your symptoms reduce or dissipate completely. If you have celiac disease, know that you can live a healthy and fulfilling life if you make minor changes to your daily routines!
References:
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Celiac Disease. Retrieved from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/celiac-disease
- Mayo Clinic. Celiac Disease. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/celiac-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20352220
- Celiac Disease Foundation. Retrieved from https://celiac.org/
- National Celiac Association. Retrieved from https://nationalceliac.org/
Note: The information provided in this blog post is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Please consult a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment of celiac disease.
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