Celiac Disease
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CELIAC DISEASE
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that consists of gluten intolerance. Indeed, it is a wrong immune response that can lead to damage in the small intestine. On the other hand, celiac disease occurs in genetically predisposed people, and some studies affirm that it affects 1 in 100 people worldwide. Also, Celiac Disease (CD) is considered a multisystemic disease since it can affect other systems of the human body and cause extra-intestinal symptoms.
This condition can present a variable combination of symptoms associated with the consumption of gluten and production of CD-specific antibodies, HLA DQ2 or DQ8 haplotypes, and enteropathy (inflammation of the intestine). According to a study, the CD is one of the most common autoimmune disorders, and it has a prevalence of 0. 5– 1% of the general population. This estimate does not include regions that show low frequency of CD-predisposing genes and low-gluten consumption, such as sub-Saharan Africa and Japan.
CD Occurrence
In the same line, Celiac Disease is more frequent among women (with a female-tomale ratio ranging from 2:1 to 3:1) On the other way, the first symptoms of this condition can occur during early childhood; however, it can also start at the elderly age.
THE PRIMARY SYMPTOMS OF CELIAC DISEASE The primary symptoms of celiac disease vary and differ in children and adults. Kids that present Celiac Disease may experience decreased appetite, diarrhea, stomachache, and bloating. These signs are accompanied by poor growth and weight loss.
Abdominal distension is the most visible symptom among Celiac children. It consists of a pronounced belly caused by intestinal inflammation. And the immune response makes substances such as air or fluid accumulate in the abdomen causing its expansion. When children are growing, Celiac Disease causes other symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, and constipation, iron deficiency anemia associated with poor growth.
OTHER SYMPTOMS
Celiac disease can be associated with apathy, irritability, and hyperactivity, as long as they are accompanied by any of the above symptoms.
Call Yout Trusted Pediatrician Celiac disease can be diagnosed by several tests, such as the measure of antibodies that is increasing in people with this condition. A positive test makes it necessary a biopsy of the small intestine by doing a test called an upper endoscopy.
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