Despite being very common, it is an often-misunderstood condition and many people are living with it undiagnosed.
Leading expert in small bowel disorders, Professor Dame Parveen Kumar, consultant gastroenterologist for London Digestive Centre at The Princess Grace Hospital, gives the lowdown on the condition.
What is Coeliac disease?
Coeliac disease is a digestive disorder caused by your immune system reacting to gluten in your food. Gluten is a protein that is found in cereals such as wheat, rye, barley, and occasionally oats – and is the substance that makes dough sticky and holds the flour together when you bake bread. Your digestive system is full of tiny hair-like projections called villi, which suck the nutrients out of your food and keep you well-nourished. When someone with Coeliac disease eats gluten, the villi get damaged – so the body cannot absorb the nutrients that it needs to function.
What are the common symptoms of Coeliac disease?
Common symptoms of Coeliac disease include diarrhoea, bloating, abdominal pain, occasionally joint pain, and even weight loss. You may also feel very tired due to getting anaemic and also being malnourished. Due to the nature of its symptoms – particularly bloating, wind and diarrhoea – Coeliac disease can also sometimes be mistaken for the Irritable Bowel Syndrome, so it is really important that you get diagnosed properly.
How is Coeliac disease diagnosed?
To diagnose Coeliac disease, you would first undergo a blood screening test by a GP or specialist – this is a simple blood test that checks for antibodies. The test results usually come back within a few days, and if you test positive, you will then need to see a consultant for a biopsy. This is a tiny specimen which we will take from your bowel. From examining the specimen, the consultant should be able to confirm whether or not you have Coeliac disease and recommend a special diet and a nutrition plan to help manage symptoms.
Can Coeliac disease be cured?
Although Coeliac disease cannot be cured, you can control the symptoms by following a gluten-free diet. This diet will let the intestines heal, work properly, and stop long-term damage. However, please do not go on a gluten-free diet before seeking medical help – as this makes diagnosis much more difficult!
What can someone with Coeliac disease do to manage symptoms?
Sticking to a strict gluten-free diet is the only way to heal your bowel and manage the symptoms of Coeliac disease. You can feel better in as little as a week after adopting a gluten-free diet. Patients often feel as though a ‘fog’ in their head has been lifted and their concentration levels improve significantly – as well as their physical symptoms.
