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Celiac Diseasehome > conditions and diseases > celiac diseaseCeliac disease is an autoimmune disease that affects the digestive systems of those who suffer from it. Essentially these people are intolerant to gluten in all of its forms. It is a reaction not unlike an allergy in that if gluten is not eaten then the Celiac is fine. If gluten is consumed they will not be able to digest the nutrients in the food that they have eaten. The digestive breakdown occurs at the microscopic level. Our bodies' intestinal tracts have millions of cilia along their linings that are active in collecting the healthful nutrients necessary for maintaining a healthy body. When a Celiac eats gluten they destroy these very sensitive cilia and are unable to uptake the nutrients from the foods that they eat. For this reason, if a Celiac eats as much as they can possibly eat to stay healthy but is including wheat in their diet, they will effectively be starving themselves to death. Celiac disease is usually very difficult to diagnose as it does not manifest itself in any particularly distinguishable fashion. Patients suffering from fatigue and unhealthy weight, either too much or too little, may try all kinds of methods to help them get more rest or to lose or gain weight. It almost takes having the patient's health suffer very seriously before a true diagnosis can be made. A few different tests can be administered in order to diagnose the disease but getting to that point is the tricky part. Once a patient is diagnosed as Celiac they will be directed to switch their diet, sometimes quite drastically, to a gluten free routine. This diet alienates most baked goods and can be difficult to steadfastly stand by. Largely the diet consists of fresh meats, vegetables, fruits and switching starches from wheat to potato, rice and corn. Shopping can become more difficult as all of the ingredients of products must be read in order to ascertain if the product is gluten free. Recent years have brought a better understanding form professional food sellers and products are now displaying their gluten free labels to make the shopping easier for those that might otherwise become very ill. Celiac.com offers more detailed information and products to help understand the diesease. |
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