Coeliac Disease is a disorder of the
small intestine (the gut). The
small intestine is where food is absorbed.
The disorder is due to a reaction to gluten in the gut, which is in
certain foods.
The cause of Coeliac Disease is sensitivity or allergy to gluten. Gluten is found in foods like wheat, barley and rye. It is the part of gluten called glaidin that is the damaging part. When gluten is mixed with water it forms a sticky texture and coats the lining of the small intestine stopping all vitamins and nutrients being absorbed. The immune system then mistakenly attacks the lining of the bowel as if it was a foreign organism.
Then we have the symptoms occurring, such as anaemia, diarrhoea, mouth ulcers, skin rashes, constipation, irritability and in general feeling horrible, and off ones food. Sometimes it has been misdiagnosed as Irritable Bowel Syndrome
To confirm diagnosis, a biopsy is
taken from the lining of the intestine or stomach wall. This is done with a
flexible tube (an endoscope) which is passed into the small intestine; you
will have a general anaesthetic for this, unless you are very brave!
Approximately 1 in 300 people suffer
from this, if there is a family history of it the risk is 1in 10.Close
relatives such as a brother, sister or parent.
Coeliac Disease is sometimes
associated with other conditions such as diabetes (insulin dependent), thyroid
problems and ulcerative colitis.
Treatment for Coeliacs is to exclude
ALL foods from their diet which contain gluten.
A marked or even a dramatic improvement in symptoms will be noticed in
most people after stopping. Treatment
is for LIFE. One may need to take
vitamin tablets, i.e. calcium, folic acid-iron, vitamin D and a form of
protein.
If left untreated it can lead to bone
disease, some forms of cancer, and can even be FATAL.
Instead of using flour people can use
potato, rice, soya or bean flour. A GP will be able to help by providing
bread, flour, pasta, biscuits, pizza bases and many more items that one would
need, on prescription. Also you
can write to. The Coeliac
Society, PO Box 220, High Wycombe, Bucks HP 11 2HY.
Tel 01494 437278 or log on at www.coeliac.co.uk.
They will be able to provide you with all the information you’ll
need. Going out to a restaurant is not a problem.
Just stick to fresh vegetables and fresh meat, avoid frozen chips as
they are covered with flour, to prevent them from sticking when being frozen.
So its jacket potatoes, steaks and salads.
Also watch out for certain ingredients in lagers, wines, beers and some spirits.
There is a very good recipe book called Easy Gluten-Free Cooking, by Rita Greer. She is a pioneer of creative cooking for people with restrictive diets. She is also the author of Eat Wheat, Egg and Milk Free Cooking.