Celiac Disease

[Guest guest]

To All,

Here is a note I received from Diane Hosek of Indianapolis, Indiana about

Celiac Dz.

Diane writes, " Hi....I thought i would let everyone know that there is going

to be a segment about Celiac Disease on the Today Show on Monday, August 18th

at 9:10 AM.  Louisville is on the same time as NY (isn't it?), but I guess

that would be 8:10 in Indianapolis. Sorry about the short notice, but I just

found out about it.  It sounds like this will be a good segment.  They went to

the

Univ. of land Celiac Research Center and interviewed the researcher who

did the prevalence study showing that CD is in 1% of the adult population.  I

hope you can watch it or tape it "

Here is a little intro info re: Celiac Disease (CD)

Celiac Disease is a lifelong (chronic) condition in which foods that contain

gluten damage the small intestine. Gluten is a form of protein found in some

grains (notably wheat, barley, and rye). The damage to the intestine makes it

hard for the body to absorb nutrients, especially fat, calcium, iron, and

folate, from food. Celiac disease also may be called celiac sprue,

gluten-sensitive

enteropathy, or nontropical sprue.

People with celiac disease usually develop abdominal symptoms after eating

gluten. Gluten's effects are thought to be related to:

Genetics. Celiac disease may be inherited. It occurs in about 10% of

first-degree relatives (mother, father, brother, sister, son, or daughter) of

people

who have the disease.

The immune system. Immune system problems may increase the likelihood that

gluten will trigger a reaction that damages the lining of the small intestine

and causes symptoms.

The environment. Agents such as bacteria may play a role in triggering celiac

disease in susceptible people who eat gluten. A virus that causes upper

respiratory and gastrointestinal illness also may trigger the disease.

What Happens

Tiny, fingerlike tissues (villi) line the small intestine. The villi create a

large surface that absorbs vitamins, sugars, and other nutrients as food

passes through the small intestine. When a person with celiac disease eats

gluten,

the villi flatten out. This decreases the area in the intestine that can

absorb nutrients. In some cases, the inability to absorb nutrients

(malabsorption)

may be severe enough to stunt growth and weaken bones. The loss of vitamins

and minerals may lead to illnesses such as iron-deficiency anemia,

rickets, or osteoporosis. Symptoms of celiac disease, if they occur, may come

and go.

Symptoms

People who have symptoms from celiac disease usually develop them when they

eat foods that contain gluten. Symptoms range from mild to severe, depending on

the amount of intestinal damage. People with mild disease may have no

symptoms, although they may develop them over time. Symptoms may be the same in

children and adults. However, intestinal symptoms may be more likely to occur in

children than in adults. Many people, especially adults, may not have any or

only mild symptoms.<A

HREF= " http://aolsvc.health.webmd.aol.com/NR/internal.asp?GUID={B4D11162-B7D0-458\

D-B7B0-3EF5D4266A11} " > </A>The most common intestinal symptoms of untreated

celiac

disease include:

Diarrhea. Stools may be bulky, loose (or watery), pale, and frothy and have a

foul odor. The stools may contain a large amount of fat and may stick to the

sides of the toilet bowl, making them hard to flush.

Weight loss. Younger children may fail to gain weight as expected (failure to

thrive). Adults and children may have unexplained weight loss despite having

a normal appetite.

Abdominal swelling and bloating. The small and large intestines produce gas

when they are not able to absorb nutrients from food. The gas leads to

abdominal bloating and swelling. Some people may complain of mild stomach pain

or a

feeling of bloating but rarely complain of severe stomach pain.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I felt that this was appropriate to post to the board, though not

Pancreatitis related, I have known persons who found themselves in this room,

and

actually had CD, instead; some had both.

Regards,

Karyn E. , RN,

Exec. Director, PAI

*http://www.pancassociation.org

See you at the SYMP!