Although celiac disease is a complex and lifelong disorder, it is possible to live a healthy life with proper management and awareness. Strict adherence to a gluten-free diet is essential for relieving symptoms and preventing complications.
What is celiac?
To answer the question of what celiac disease is, we can briefly call it gluten intolerance. Celiac disease, defined as a persistent intolerance to gluten, is a serious autoimmune disease in which the immune system causes inflammation in the small intestine. Gluten is a protein complex found in grains such as wheat, barley and rye. Celiac disease affects 1 in 100 people worldwide and is a lifelong condition. However, most people continue their lives without realizing that they have this disease. This causes the disease to progress “silently” and can lead to serious health problems.
What are the symptoms of celiac disease?
Celiac disease symptoms can manifest themselves in a wide variety of ways. Celiac symptoms generally include abdominal pain, bloating and diarrhea. What are the symptoms of celiac:
- chronic diarrhea
- Abdominal pain and bloating
- Gas
- Constipation
- oily stool
- Fatigue and weakness
- Growth and developmental delay
- Osteoclasis
- Depression and irritability
- Headaches and joint pains
Celiac disease can also cause many different symptoms, such as skin rash, tooth enamel damage, mouth ulcers, and delayed menstruation.
Treatment for celiac disease is a strict gluten-free diet that involves avoiding gluten completely. This diet helps the small intestines heal and symptoms disappear. Celiac patients must adhere to a gluten-free diet for life.
What happens if celiac disease progresses?
If celiac disease is not treated, it can cause damage to the small intestines, causing various symptoms and complications. This progression can lead to serious health problems over time. If celiac disease is left untreated, the following may occur:
- chronic diarrhea
- Stomach ache
- weight loss
- Fatigue and weakness
- Growth and developmental delay
- Anemia
- Osteoclasis
- Dermatitis
- Diabetes
- thyroid disease
- Diseases related to malnutrition
- Neurological and psychological problems
What should celiac patients not eat?
Treatment for celiac disease is a strict gluten-free diet that involves avoiding gluten completely. Celiac patients should not eat the following foods:
- Bread, pasta, bulgur, semolina, couscous, noodles, crackers, biscuits, cakes, cookies, pastries, donuts, wafers, malt syrup and beer
- Sauces, ketchup, mayonnaise, salad dressings, ready-made soups, meatballs, processed meat products such as soudjouk, sausage, salami, snacks such as ice cream, chocolate, chips
- Products containing substances such as wheat starch, modified wheat starch, barley starch, malt flavor, wheat glucose syrup
- Foods produced or processed in the same environment as gluten-free products may contain gluten. Therefore, it is important to avoid foods that are not made specifically for celiac patients.