Coeliac Society of Ireland encouraging people to check for symptoms of coeliac disease

COELIAC disease is an auto-immune disease that prevents those affected from digesting gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye.

The disease can manifest itself at any stage in a person’s lifetime, with symptoms including abdominal pain, recurring mouth-ulcers, weight-loss, vomiting and diarrhoea. It is estimated to affect 47,500 people in Ireland.

Signs and Symptoms vary from person to person and may be constant or only occur from time to time.Some people may also experience an itchy rash which can be caused by an associated condition called Dermatitis Herpetiformis.

The first step towards diagnosis is a blood test. Following a positive test, the most conclusive way to diagnose coeliac disease is by taking a biopsy from the small intestine.

It is important to be on a gluten containing diet before testing in order to ensure an accurate result.

It is important not to self diagnose. A life long gluten-free diet is a big commitment which should only be undertaken if necessary. An official diagnosis is required to take advantage of the financial support available.

Your GP can take a blood test for antibodies – Immunoglobulin A (IgA) anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies(IgA tTGA) and anti-endomysial antibodies (IgA EMA). If results show raised tTG or positive EMA then you should be referred to a consultant gastroenterologist for a biopsy. Bear in mind that negative screening blood tests do not always exclude coeliac disease, as a small minority of coeliacs may also have IgA deficiency and the screening test results will be misleading. In children under the age of three the blood tests can be particularly unreliable.

There are some do it yourself blood test kits but the Coeliac Society recommend that you have a blood test organised by your doctor.

TREATMENT AFTER DIAGNOSIS

As soon as you start your gluten-free diet you should begin to feel better very quickly though your gut may take a little longer to fully recover. However, this condition is life-long and you will not grow out of it, as was believed in the past. A gluten-free diet for life is the primary treatment and there is no cure at present.

Other treatments may include: Treatment of the small intestine with corticosteroids temporarily if the inflammation is severe.

Taking dietary supplements if nutritional deficiencies are found. However once the small intestine heals there should be no need for dietary supplements if your diet is well-balanced and nourishing. You should ask to see a dietitian to help you get started on a gluten-free diet which includes all the nutrients you need.

There are plenty of foods that are naturally gluten-free and the range of specialised gluten-free products is growing all the time.

Meanwhile, symptoms usually improve within a few weeks of starting a gluten-free diet, and children usually recover faster than adults.

Pictured at the launch of Coeliac Awareness Week 2018 was Paddy Curran, SuperValu’s Health & Wellness Manager, Rose and Martha Killion, aged 4 from Sandymount, Dublin, with Minister of State at the Department of Health, Catherine Byrne TD and Aileen...