Health encyclopaedia

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Coeliac disease

Coeliac disease (also known as celiac disease) is an inflammatory condition caused by sensitivity to the protein gluten, which is found in wheat, rye and barley. The condition is very common but symptoms can be kept under control with a strict gluten-free diet.

In people with coeliac disease, the body treats gluten as harmful and attacks it, so that the lining of the small intestine is damaged. The finger-like projections (villi), which increase the absorptive surface area of the small intestine, are partially or totally flattened. This means that the body is not able to absorb as many nutrients, including vitamins and minerals and leads to diarrhoea and malnutrition.

The disease affects adults and children and runs in families.  Around one in a 1000 people are known to have the disease, but it is believed that as many as one in 200 people may be affected but have minimal or no symptoms (silent celiac disease).

• Symptoms
• Causes
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Complications
• Prevention

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