Can You Stomach This? - Coeliac Disease

Coeliac Disease is a condition about which most of us probably know very little – to say the name might even be a bit of a struggle. But coeliac disease (pronounced see-lee-ak) is a common and significant cause of poor health.

Symptoms of coeliac disease include persistent diarrhoea, anaemia, chronic fatigue, stomach pain, bloating, flatulence and weight loss. Children fail to thrive; adults are more susceptible to mouth ulcers and osteoporosis. However, not all sufferers lose weight and a few are more likely to experience constipation rather than diarrhoea.

The symptoms of coeliac disease can often be mistaken for those of irritable bowel syndrome. An expert in this area is Dr Ramanand Karnath, who is Senior Staff Specialist and Associate Professor in Paediatrics at the New Children’s Hospital, Westmead in NSW. Dr Karnath explains that while the symptoms for both coeliac disease and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are similar, the treatment is quite different. He stresses that before any diagnosis of IBS is made, patients should be tested for coeliac disease, so the most appropriate treatment can be started.

The cause of coeliac disease is not fully understood; but it seems that people with this condition are born with an enzyme deficiency which causes abnormal breakdown of gluten and a build-up of a toxic substance. Gluten is the protein in various grains such as wheat, rye, oats, barley, triticale and sorghum. So, it is often present in bread, cakes, biscuits, pasta, pizzas and processed goods – meats, soups, sauces and so on. Another theory is that the immune system over-reacts to the "foreign" protein.

Whatever the cause, the result is sometimes disastrous. Damage to the intestine leads to deficiencies in vitamins, iron, folic acid and calcium because of the poor absorption of nutrients. Sugars, proteins and fats are poorly absorbed as well.

Early diagnosis of coeliac disease is important. However, the good news is that, once diagnosed, the treatment for coeliac disease is extremely effective. It very simply involves strict adherence to a gluten-free diet.

This might sound difficult but it’s well worth the challenge of finding gluten-free foods on the supermarket shelves. Once started on a gluten-free diet, coeliac disease sufferers will pick up quickly and regain their energy and good health.

From time-to-time we all suffer tummy upset; but if your tummy is upset more often than not, then Coeliac Disease could be a possibility. See your doctor for a check-up. Effective treatment is so simple.