Gluten-Sensitive Enteropathy
Gluten-Sensitive Enteropathy Causes
The exact cause of celiac disease is not known, but it's often inherited. If someone in the person's immediate family has it, chances are 5 percent to 15 percent that the person may have it as well. It can happen at any age, although problems don't appear until gluten is introduced into the diet. Many times, for unclear reasons, the disease occurs after some form of trauma: an infection, a physical injury, the stress of pregnancy, severe stress or surgery.
Gluten-Sensitive Enteropathy Definition
Gluten-sensitive enteropathy (also known as Coeliac disease), is an autoimmune disorder of the small intestine that occurs in genetically predisposed people of all ages from middle infancy.
Gluten-Sensitive Enteropathy Diagnosis
To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor may need to microscopically examine a small portion of intestinal tissue to check for damage to the villi.
Gluten-Sensitive Enteropathy Symptoms and Signs
Most people with the disease have general complaints, like intermittent diarrhea, abdominal pain and bloating. Sometimes people with celiac disease may present no gastrointestinal symptoms at all. Celiac disease symptoms can also imitate those of other conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome, gastric ulcers, Crohn's disease, parasite infections, anemia, skin disorders or a nervous condition.
Gluten-Sensitive Enteropathy Treatment
Once gluten is removed from one's diet, inflammation in the small intestine will begin to subside, usually within several weeks. If nutritional deficiencies are severe, vitamin and mineral supplements may be recommended by the doctor or dietitian to help correct these deficiencies.