Coping with Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is an inherited and lifelong condition that affects one in 133 children and adults in the United States. People who have celiac disease cannot tolerate gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. If a person with celiac disease eats food containing gluten, this will damage the lining of the small intestine. Because the small intestine absorbs nutrients from foods, a person with celiac disease may not get enough vitamins and minerals. Such deficiencies can lead to many health problems, including fatigue, muscle cramps, depression, bone weakness, tooth problems, skin rashes, arthritis, and intestinal cancer. Doing blood tests and taking samples of intestinal tissue help doctors to determine which patients have celiac disease. Some people need vitamin and mineral supplements. For example, some people with celiac disease take vitamin D and calcium to keep their heart, bones, and teeth healthy. People who have celiac disease benefit from avoiding foods and medications with gluten. Even a small amount of gluten can cause damage. Affected individuals must read packaged food labels to determine whether…
