September 13th has been designated as “National Celiac Disease Awareness Day” in honor of Dr. Samuel Gee, the man who identified a link between diet and the disease. It was commemorated on August 3rd, 2010 by a resolution in the U.S. Senate in the hopes that more people would become aware of and informed about the disease. While it may not be a holiday that is widely celebrated, it is important to an estimated 3 million people who suffer with it.
What is Celiac Disease?
While it is sometimes called gluten-sensitive enteropathy or celiac sprue, celiac disease is an immune reaction that is triggered by eating gluten, a protein that is found in barley, rye, and wheat. This reaction occurs in the small intestine and can eventually damage its lining and prevent it from absorbing certain nutrients. The damage to the intestine causes’ anemia, bloating, diarrhea, fatigue, and weight loss. Furthermore, it can lead to other more serious complications.
Children with celiac disease also exhibit the same symptoms as adults. The inability to absorb nutrients is known as “malabsorption” and can eventually affect a child’s growth development. Children usually are weak, miss their growth milestones and have poor immune systems. Unfortunately, no cure for the disease has been found. However, for most individuals, sticking to a gluten-free diet helps to better manage the symptoms of the disease and promote intestinal healing as well.
Related and unrelated Digestive Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of the disease often vary greatly and will differ in adults and children. The more common signs and symptoms witnessed in adults include:
- diarrhea
- fatigue
- weight loss
- bloating and gas
- abdominal pain
- nausea and vomiting
- constipation
However, over 50% of all adults who have celiac disease have signs and symptoms unrelated to their digestive systems including:
- anemia
- blistery, itchy skin rash
- bone softening or loss of bone density
- cognitive impairment
- fatigue and headaches
- joint pain
- mouth ulcers
- tingling and numbness in the hands and feet
- problems with balance
- reduced spleen function
Children who have celiac disease will be more likely to suffer with digestive problems than adults, including:
- chronic diarrhea
- constipation
- gas
- nausea and vomiting
- pale, foul-smelling stools
- swollen belly
Diagnostic imaging such as barium enemas, CT scans, enteroscopy, and MRIs are commonly used when diagnosing celiac disease. It helps to diagnose the illness better. In addition to imaging, there are two blood tests that can help with diagnosing the disease – genetic testing and serology testing.
To learn more about how diagnostic imaging is used to study celiac disease, call Vital Imaging at (305) 596-9992 today.