Description:

More commonly known as Wheat allergy, the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine. As the name suggests, the disease is promoted by a protein Gluten present in wheat, barley, Rye, and other grain. Once a person with celiac disease eats food with gluten, the body of such patients tends to react to the protein and damages their villi – tiny finger-like projections along the wall of the small intestine. The function of Villiis to absorb nutrients from the food, the presence of such disease impedes the absorption of nutrients from the food taken. As a result, such a person face malnutrition, growth retardation, and irritability. Other common manifestations of celiac disease are Anemia, Abdominal pain, Mouth ulcers, Diarrhea, Miscarriage, Infertility, certain Neurological disorders, and sporadic cancer.

Diagnosis:

Celiac disease is diagnosed by blood tests and endoscopy of the suspected patient post clinical examination. At Care hospital, we perform a blood test - IgA anti-tTG. Upon testing positive, it could well be Wheat allergy. An Endoscopy is required to confirm the Celiac disease .As a standard protocol, we collect a tiny biopsy sample during endoscopy for further histopathological examination.

Treatment:

The primary treatment of Celiac disease is to avoid diet containing this protein- Gluten. Our dietician at Care Hospital Bathindatenders such patients quite regularly. A patient is handed over guidelines on what they can eat and what food they should skip. Customized diet charts are also provided to Celiac patients.