What You Need To Know About Celiac Disease
5/5/2023
Have you noticed uncomfortable symptoms after eating gluten? GI issues that develop after eating gluten, such as diarrhea, abdominal pain and discomfort, bloating, and greasy stools, can be indicators of celiac disease. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that elicits an abnormal immune response to the protein in grains known as gluten. This immune response arises when gluten is consumed, resulting in uncomfortable GI effects. Although there is presently no way to cure celiac disease, the gastrointestinal doctors at Gastroenterology Associates of Florida in and around Palm Beach County, FL can identify and treat celiac disease symptoms.
In what ways does celiac disease affect a person's body?
People who have celiac disease should undergo a diagnosis and medical treatment from a trusted gastrointestinal specialist. This condition may harm the body if the condition is not diagnosed or treated. Celiac disease can have a chronic impact on the small bowel, where most nutrients are absorbed by a person's body. When gluten is taken up in the small intestine, it causes the immune system to react. Your body then sends a host of antibodies to attack it. These antibodies can damage the lining of your small bowel, which can impact the GI tract's ability to absorb nourishment from food products.
Other potential lasting effects of celiac disease involve:
- Compromised immune system
- Ulcers or scarring in the gastrointestinal tract
- Increased risk of intestinal cancer
- Disease of the liver
- Manifestation of new food intolerances
What are the available treatments for celiac disease?
The prime treatment for celiac disease is to avoid products with gluten. Following your tested for and diagnosed with celiac disease, you should be able to put an end to further symptoms when you cut out gluten. In time, the intestinal lining will heal and start to absorb nutrients. Given that there is no cure for celiac disease, individuals may need to maintain a gluten-free diet to avoid damaging the small intestine even more. Other treatments that may be helpful involve:
- Continued follow-up care
- Doctor-suggested nutritional supplements
- Corticosteroids
- Prescribed medication
If you are looking for celiac disease treatment in Wellington, Atlantis, or Jupiter, FL, the team of gastrointestinal doctors at Gastroenterology Associates of Florida can help. Even though main form of treatment for celiac disease is a gluten-free diet, it is important that you have been diagnosed with celiac disease before you cut out gluten entirely to determine If it negatively affects you.
Celiac disease vs. gluten intolerance: How do they differ?
On the surface gluten intolerance and celiac disease may seem the same. They lead to uncomfortable GI symptoms after eating gluten. Similarities don’t really go further than that, though. As mentioned above, celiac disease is known to cause an irregular response in the body that can have a negative impact on your GI tract over time. Gluten intolerance is uncomfortable, but it should not cause long-term harm to the digestive tract. It can usually be alleviated by supplementing digestive enzymes to help reduce GI symptoms. Symptoms of gluten intolerance and celiac disease symptoms are close to interchangeable; therefore, if you are experiencing symptoms, we suggest you be assessed by a gastroenterologist to determine which condition you have.
Get assistance with celiac disease in Palm Beach County, FL
At Gastroenterology Associates of Florida, we are dedicated to increasing celiac disease awareness. One in about 133 individuals gets a diagnosis of celiac disease. Celiac disease can change how you live your life, often for the better. After removing gluten, your body can heal from the damage caused from gluten. As your body heals, the risk of developing the above-mentioned long-term effects diminishes. For more information, reach out to a Gastroenterology Associates of Florida location in your community. You can rely on our GI specialists in Palm Beach County, FL to address your digestive wellness.