Learning More About Celiac Disease

Whether you've recently been diagnosed with celiac disease, or know someone who has, you probably have many questions about this digestive disorder. It's only natural to wonder "What causes celiac disease?" and "What can someone with celiac disease eat?" This guide provides an overview of celiac disease, including statistics, symptoms and treatments.

Celiac disease basics
Celiac disease symptoms and side effects
Treatment of celiac disease
Helpful resources for celiac disease
Gluten-Free Tour of the Store

Celiac disease basics

Celiac disease is a digestive disorder affecting the small intestine. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, approximately one percent of Americans will develop this condition at some point in their lives. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), if someone in your immediate family has celiac disease, your individual risk rises to one in 22.

Called an autoimmune disease because of the immune system's dramatic response to wheat gluten, celiac disease interferes with your ability to absorb nutrients from food. In a person with celiac disease, the small intestines overreact to wheat gluten in food, and this reaction causes damage to the intestinal lining. The resulting damage makes the celiac patient unable to absorb vital nutrients.

Experts aren't sure exactly what causes celiac disease. However, according to the NIH, research suggests that there may be genetic links between celiac and other autoimmune disorders, including Type I diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. People with other autoimmune disorders may therefore be more likely to develop celiac disease.

Some people with celiac disease first become aware that something's not right when they experience uncomfortable symptoms. However, for others, this disease produces few or no symptoms — or the symptoms mimic other, more common ailments such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), mild anemia or fatigue. For these people, only extensive testing uncovers the disease.

Celiac disease symptoms and side effects

Certain symptoms of celiac disease affect your digestive tract and your ability to absorb nutrients from food. These symptoms include:

Stomach cramps, pain or bloating
Changes in bowel habits (particularly chronic diarrhea, but possibly constipation)
Nausea or vomiting
Weight loss

According to the NIH, adults with celiac disease may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

Fatigue or exhaustion
Pain in the bones or joints
Changes in mood, especially anxiety, irritability or depression
Sores inside the mouth
Tingling hands or feet
An itchy, red rash
Anemia or osteoporosis with no apparent cause
For women, irregular menstruation

If you or someone you know has experienced these symptoms, a test for celiac disease is in order. Diagnostic tests may include blood tests, a biopsy of the small intestine — and, if a rash is present, a skin biopsy.

Positive test results mean that treatment starts immediately. If left untreated, severe malnutrition, anemia and osteoporosis develop. In some cases, untreated celiac also leads to cancers of the liver and bowel.

Treatment of celiac disease

Strict adherence to a gluten-free diet provides the most effective treatment for celiac disease. If you have this condition, consuming even small traces of wheat or other gluten-containing foods can provoke symptoms and lead to nutritional malabsorption.

Adhering to this diet can present challenges, especially when traveling or attending school. You can control your diet at home by reading labels carefully and keeping separate, gluten-free cookware and prep areas — but you can't always be sure that foods from other kitchens are completely gluten-free. And, you might not be sure how to communicate your dietary needs to others. These tips can help:

Consider joining a celiac disease support group. Other people may have tips or wisdom to share that can help you adhere to your diet while enjoying what you eat. Check the Celiac Disease Foundation's Web site, www.celiac.org, for information on groups near you.
When adopting a gluten-free diet, visit your physician and registered dietician and seek their help in making a dietary plan.
Read labels before buying any food. Wheat gluten can masquerade as other ingredients, including rye, barley, malt, farina, seitan, or semolina. Check out this NIH table for a complete list of safe-to-consume foods.
Choose naturally gluten-free foods whenever possible. The FDA lists natural fruits, natural vegetables, 100-percent fruit and 100-percent vegetable juices, eggs, fresh fish, and fresh shellfish as examples of naturally gluten-free foods.
Plan ahead whenever possible. Before visiting a new restaurant, check the menu, if available — and call to inquire about gluten-free options.
Bring meals and snacks from home if you can. Gluten-free string cheese, raisins, fruits, and vegetables with gluten-free dip make safe, nutritious take-along foods.
Work with the kitchen at your office or school to develop gluten-free meals you can safely consume. If your child requires a gluten-free diet at school, work with the school principal, your child's teachers and the cafeteria staff to ensure your child can get the food he or she needs.
If you're visiting family for the holidays, spell out your dietary requirements to ensure that you can enjoy the holiday dinner, too.

Helpful resources for celiac disease

These articles can help you, your family and your friends get a better picture of dietary requirements — and delicious dishes — for people with celiac disease.

Make savory sides that everyone can enjoy with our "Gluten-Free Sides" guide.
Learn more about the gluten-free lifestyle with this article, "Gluten-Free Living".
Get baking hints — and safe recipes for sweet treats — with this article, "Gluten-Free Baking," by Judy Dodd, MS, RD, LDN, Giant Eagle^® Corporate Nutritionist.
Schedule an appointment with a Giant Eagle^® registered dietitian.
Check out the entire line of gluten-free products from the Giant Eagle^® family of brands.

Gluten-Free Tour of the Store

Take a guided tour of Giant Eagle^® featuring gluten-free products. You'll learn how to identify gluten-free products by reading food labels, and will get specifics on nutrients you need — and ingredients to watch out for. Groups meet at the Nutrition Kiosk in the Health, Beauty & Wellness department. There is no charge for this event — so reserve your spot today!

Sources

The American Celiac Disease Alliance
(http://americanceliac.org)

The American Dietetic Association
(http://www.eatright.org)

The Celiac Disease Foundation
(http://www.celiac.org/)

National Institutes of Health
(http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/celiac/#table)

The NIH Celiac Disease Awareness Campaign
(http://www.celiac.nih.gov/)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(http://www.fda.gov/)

Important Physician Advice Disclaimer: The content provided by Giant Eagle^®, including but not limited to, Web site, recipe and health information is for educational purposes only. This content is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Consult your physician for professional guidance before changing or undertaking a new diet program. Advance consultation with your physician is particularly important if you are under the age of 18, pregnant, nursing, or have health problems.