Good Health

COELIAC disease is a condition that causes inflammation within the lining of the small intestine. This inflammation subsequently means that food and nutrients cannot be readily absorbed by the body. Coeliac disease affects about 1 in 100 people in Ireland.

Coeliac disease is not a food allergy or intolerance, but an autoimmune disease. This means that the immune system, which normally protects the body from infections, mistakenly attacks itself.

The cause of coeliac disease is sensitivity to gluten. Gluten is found in everyday foods containing wheat, barley and rye, such as bread, pasta and biscuits. Some people with coeliac disease are also sensitive to oats. In people with coeliac disease, the body makes antibodies against gluten. These antibodies lead to inflammation developing in the lining of the small intestine.

Coeliac disease is most commonly diagnosed in people between the ages of 40 and 50 years. It is not known as to why the immune system may suddenly become sensitised to gluten. Coeliac disease often runs in families and is more common in people who have other autoimmune diseases. SYMPTOMS

Children: Symptoms may first develop soon after weaning when a baby starts eating solid foods containing gluten. As food is not being absorbed properly, stool may be pale and bulky and may also be smelly and difficult to flush away. Diarrhoea may even occur. The tummy may become swollen and repeated vomiting may occur. Symptoms, however, may not be entirely obvious. The first thing that may be noticed is poor growth.

Adults: Poor absorption of food may cause deficiencies