Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disease where the lining of the small intestine is damaged by tiny amounts of gluten (a protein found in grains such as wheat, rye, barley and oats) – Health Direct (2022).
‘Coeliac disease affects on average approximately 1 in 70 Australians. However, around 80% of this number remain undiagnosed. This means the vast majority of Australians who have coeliac disease don’t yet know it.’ – coeliac.org.au (2022).
Symptoms:
- Gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhoea, constipation, fatty stools, flatulence);
- Nausea & vomiting;
- Pain or discomfort in the tummy;
- Iron deficiency or anaemia;
- Weight loss or gain;
- Feeling tired;
- Irritability;
- Bone or joint pain and stiffness;
- Swelling of the mouth or tongue, recurring mouth ulcers;
- Itchy and blistery skin rash;
Causes:
It’s not yet known why people develop coeliac disease. Some factors associated with an increased risk of developing this disease include:
- Family history;
- Environmental factors: previous GIT infections, a person’s diet during early childhood;
- Other health conditions associated with an increased risk: diabetes, ulcerative colitis, neurological disorders, thyroid disease or downs syndrome;
Can coeliac disease be prevented?
It is not preventable, however it is possible to prevent complications of coeliac disease by being diagnosed early.
Complications of coeliac disease:
Early diagnosis and treatment of coeliac disease can significantly reduce the risk of most complications ever occurring. If not treated early, coeliacs may lead to:
- Chronic inflammation of the small bowel, skin, joints, bones, liver, pancreas, thyroid gland, nervous system and reproductive system;
- The changes in the small bowel can lead to poor absorption of nutrients, resulting in problems such as iron deficiency;
- Increased risk of bowel lymphoma (a type of cancer);
- Infertility;
- Chronic ill health;
How do you get diagnosed?
Bring up any concerns of symptoms or family history with your doctor.
How is coeliacs disease managed?
Coeliacs disease can not be cured, but it can be managed.
Once diagnosed by your doctor, a gluten free diet is commonly used to manage coeliacs disease. Today, we are so lucky to be offered a variety of gluten free foods and beverages with some supermarkets offering gluten free isles!