Celiac disease, that is, gluten enteropathy...
"You, your child or your loved one will not eat anything containing wheat, barley or rye for the rest of their lives, and will stay away even from gluten dust." It can be easily taken out of the mouth and it sounds easy. isn't it? So, how does it affect the person to whom it is said? How about being a celiac for a few minutes?
What is Celiac Disease?
Celiac disease is a lifelong and chronic allergy and sensitivity of the small intestine to the protein called gluten. Grains such as wheat, barley, rye and oats contain gluten.
The ingested food is broken down into its components in the small intestine and mixes with the blood through the intestinal mucosa. Our body's ability to absorb enough food is ensured by the folds called villus protrusions, which are found in large numbers in the small intestine. When celiac patients consume gluten-containing foods, the villus protrusions and folds in the intestinal mucosa are destroyed and shrink due to allergy. Thus, the intestinal surface area gradually decreases and the food consumed becomes unabsorbable.
When you smell the beautiful smell of bread while passing by the bakery, when you are very hungry and can't find anything to eat in the market, when you meet with your friends and they are eating pizza, lahmacun, waffles, pasta, bagels, wafers and you can only drink water, when you tell people around you about celiac disease and say 'there is nothing without bread' How do you feel when you want to eat ice cream to cool off in the hot summer months and cannot find the right ice cream for you? , sherbet dessert, eclairs, profiteroles, cookies, waffles, chocolate, raw meatballs and many other foods will not be in your life, not only these, you will have to thoroughly research every product you use, including toothpastes, lipsticks, creams, shampoos, medicines and paper cups. and you will not be able to buy any product that you are not sure about.
For example, you were offered chocolate in the environment you were in and you had to decline the offer by explaining your situation. While you were waiting for your surroundings to be understanding towards you, you said 'one bite won't do anything, taste it'. You will encounter a reaction like "for my sake". However, that one bite you consume will completely disrupt your gluten-free diet, which you have been following without any hesitation for years, and cause major problems in your digestive system. Since your intestinal flora is disrupted, you will experience many problems such as severe abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, vitamin deficiencies, fatigue, weakness, and skin diseases. If a child does this during the development period, it will cause developmental delay in addition to all these disorders. For celiacs, even 1 spoon of gluten in 1 ton of food is very harmful. Utensils such as forks, spoons, pans, pots, strainers and plates that have touched gluten-containing foods during meal preparation should never be touched by the food of people with celiac disease. Wooden spoons, Teflon pots and cutting boards, even if washed sufficiently, absorb gluten and become dangerous for celiacs. These utensils should only belong to people with celiac disease and should not be used except for gluten-free foods.
What are the Symptoms of Celiac Disease?
Celiac symptoms span a wide range. It usually causes typical complaints such as diarrhea and abdominal pain, but it can also manifest itself with complaints related to other systems without any symptoms related to the intestines. That's why celiac disease is known as a disease that is difficult to diagnose. Due to atypical symptoms, celiac disease may not come to mind and treatment is directed only to the symptoms and diagnosis is delayed. Celiac disease can occur in childhood or can be seen in the 80s. Therefore, celiac disease should be considered in every age group with symptoms. And Vitamin B12 Deficiency, Persistent and Recurrent despite Drug Treatment)
· Stool Abnormality, Increased Need for the Toilet
· Vomiting
· Fatigue
· Lack of Appetite
· Growth Retardation< br /> · Light-Colored, Foul-Smelling Stool · Gas
· Cancers in the Mouth
· Lack of Appetite, Gas Complaints
· Nerve Damage (B12 and B1 Vitamin Deficiency)
· Joint and Bone Pains
· Bone Resorption (Osteoporosis)
· Hair Loss
· Irritability
· Itchy Rashes on the Skin
· Infertility (Menstrual Disorders, Miscarriages)
· Liver Diseases and Enzyme of Unknown Cause Height
· Various Thyroid Gland Diseases
· Migraine Type Headaches
· Diabetes
· Persistent, Itchy Skin Wounds
· Skin Discoloration (Vitiligo)
· Painful Skin Disease (Dermatitis Herpetiformis)
How Is It Diagnosed?
Diagnosis of celiac disease is made by serological tests and small intestine biopsy. The first step in diagnosis is serological tests. Demonstration of characteristic histopathological findings in the biopsy material is the gold standard in diagnosis. Endoscopic biopsy is performed to confirm the diagnosis for those who show clinical features of celiac disease and/or have positive serological tests.
10 percent of individuals with celiac disease may also have celiac disease in their mothers, fathers, siblings or children.
The only treatment for celiac disease is a strict lifelong gluten-free diet. Even the slightest deviation is not allowed on the gluten-free diet. Gluten-free specially prepared flours, breads, pastas and biscuits are at the forefront of our diet. Products made from rice, corn, potato and soy flour can be consumed. There is no harm in eating fruits, vegetables, eggs and meat products. Following a gluten-free diet can be more expensive, difficult and tedious than a normal diet. Since lactose intolerance may also occur in some people, it is recommended not to consume milk and dairy foods at the beginning or to consume lactose-free. If the diet is followed correctly and without leaks, all symptoms begin to disappear slowly and the person can lead a healthy life. your doctor As recommended, once or twice a year, it is checked whether the diet is going well.
In some people, minor escapades do not cause immediate symptoms and have an insidious course. It is possible to encounter an illness in the future due to these escapades. When the diet is not followed precisely and clearly or when diagnosed late, it may occur as diabetes, thyroid disease, osteoporosis, short stature in children or various cancers. Currently, the only treatment for celiac disease is a gluten-free diet. It cannot be treated with plants or other alternative methods…
It should not be forgotten that celiac disease is a disease until diagnosed, and a lifestyle after diagnosis.
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