Celiac disease is a chronic digestive, genetic and autoimmune disease affecting approximately 2 million people in the United States. It mainly targets the small intestine and is triggered by eating gluten-containing foods.
Celiac disease patients immune system attacks gluten as it enters. This action damages the small intestine and disrupts the absorption of food nutrients in the blood. As a result, severe problems related to malnutrition can develop.
Common Symptoms
Some people with celiac disease can have no symptoms at all. However, some often experience digestive symptoms such as bloating, chronic diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, lactose intolerance, and loose, greasy, bulky, bad-smelling stools. But some people experience symptoms outside of the gut. An itchy rash called Dermatitis Herpetifoemis is fairly common.
How to Test?
Testing for celiac disease (e.g., blood…
