Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that can affect the small intestine when a person diagnosed with it eats gluten. It is not a gluten sensitivity, it can actually damage the small intestine. It can affect both adults and children and can present as different symptoms in family members. It is more common than you think and can be very serous, it does not resolve on it’s own. People with celiac have to be vigilant and make sure restaurants are careful when handling their food. Finally a gluten free diet is not for everyone, people who are not celiac will deprive themselves of essential nutrients if trying to unnecessarily go gluten free.
Key Takeaways:
- Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder, not an allergy, but is often mistaken for an allergic illnes. .
- People might experience damage to their small intestine if they have celiac disease and eat gluten.
- Celiac disease can develop at any age, although people has often thought of it as affecting only children.
“Celiac disease shares many common intestinal symptoms with disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis). This overlap of symptoms, possibly due to a combination of genetics and environmental factors with celiac disease and ulcerative colitis, may cause confusion as to what celiac disease is and how to recognize it. Below are some celiac disease myths and facts explained.”
Read more: http://www.pfizer.com/news/featured_stories/featured_stories_detail/celiac_disease_myths_and_facts