Celiac disease symptoms do not show themselves in the same way in every patient. Symptoms of this disease can appear in childhood as well as in adulthood. One of the factors affecting the emergence of symptoms is related to the age at which gluten enters the diet and how much it is consumed. Common symptoms are:
• Abdominal bloating
•Anemia
•Vomiting
•Muscle weakness
Diarrhea or constipation
•Low weight for age
•Anorexia
Joint and bone pain
•Growth retardation
Itchy skin rashes
•Depression
• Behavior change
•Irregular period
• Aphthae in the mouth
Increasing need for toilet
foul smelling stool
Tooth enamel problems
•Recurrent bruises
Bleeding due to vitamin K deficiency
Night blindness due to vitamin A deficiency
Celiac Disease in Infants
As in adults, celiac disease is also encountered in infants due to genetic factors. Symptoms of celiac disease may appear weeks or months after the baby begins to eat solid foods and gluten after breast milk. While the most common symptoms in children younger than 2 years of age are vomiting, chronic diarrhea, loss of appetite, muscle wasting, and growth retardation, children older than 2 years of age have diarrhea and constipation, as well as short stature, irritability, delayed puberty, dental caries, learning difficulties, and attention deficit. .
For the early diagnosis of celiac disease, which is seen in one of every 110 children in Turkey, a family member with celiac disease; Children with Down syndrome, Turner syndrome, Williams syndrome and type 1 diabetes do not have signs of celiac disease, but precautionary celiac testing is necessary.
Celiac Disease Treatment
“Is there a cure for celiac disease?” is the most frequently asked question, especially by celiac patients. However, there is no cure for this disease such as medicine, vaccine or surgical intervention. Celiac disease treatment is a gluten-free diet that should only be followed for life. Therefore, people with celiac disease should pay attention to the foods they consume in accordance with the instructions of expert dietitians. In addition, people should be followed regularly by a gastroenterology doctor. It is important to detect and supplement deficiencies by making vitamin, mineral and bone density measurements.
Celiac disease can lead to some other diseases unless it is controlled. These; developmental deficiency and short stature as well as small bowel cancer, lymphoma, infertility, miscarriage, chronic health disorder and osteoporosis.
How Is Celiac Disease Diagnosed?
The symptoms of celiac disease are understood more quickly, especially in children. It is possible for parents to notice the disease and make their diet gluten-free by observing their children. In adults, on the other hand, clear symptoms may not be observed as in children. Therefore, people who show one or more of the symptoms should be diagnosed with celiac disease by tests.
Celiac Disease Test
First of all, the symptoms and family history of the people who apply to the doctor are listened to. After the physical examination, some celiac disease tests are performed. The methods used for definitive diagnosis are serological tests and biopsy. After the serological test that measures the level of antibodies in the blood, small intestine biopsy is required for definitive diagnosis.
What Should Celiac Patients Eat?
The list of gluten-free and safe foods that celiac patients can consume is as follows:
•All kinds of fruits and vegetables
• All legumes (dry beans, chickpeas, lentils, black-eyed peas, soybeans, etc.)
All types of sugar (powder, granulated sugar, brown sugar)
• All additive-free and liquid oil types
•Chickpea flour, chestnut flour, soybean flour, grape seed flour
•Corn and maize flour
• Rice and rice flour
•Potato and potato flour
• Eggs, jam, honey, molasses
•The fish
• Poultry, beef, veal and lamb meat
•Spices
•Water, juices, coffee, black tea and herbal teas
Rice pudding, pudding made with rice and rice flour
Celiac Disease Diet
Gluten-containing foods are not included in the celiac disease diet. However, gluten can be found in products defined as zero gluten, except for foods that are naturally gluten-free. WHO (World Health Organization) and FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) accepted products that do not contain more than 20 milligrams of gluten per kilogram as gluten-free food in 2007. This practice is also valid in Turkey.
While celiac patients can easily consume some foods, there are also foods that they should not eat and stay away from. These foods are:
•Wheat, barley, rye, oats and products containing them
• Flour, bulgur, semolina, pasta, vermicelli, couscous
• Baklava, tulumba, revani, cake, pastry, cookies and other bakery products
• Chicken, fish, meat prepared by dipping in flour
malt like beer
alcohols used
•Boza and all fermented beverages
•Ready soups; tarhana, wedding, noodle, flour, noodle soups
Gluten-containing chocolate and chewing gums
• Ketchup, mayonnaise, ice cream, salty and sauced nuts containing gluten
Celiac patients should pay attention to the products they will buy and read their labels. Gluten is found not only in foods, but also in some medicines, cosmetics, creams and shampoos. While cooking at home, it is necessary to take care that gluten-containing foods and gluten-free foods do not come into contact with each other, and to make careful choices in meals to be eaten outside.
The gluten-free diet is not intended for weight loss, but to control celiac disease and improve the patient’s quality of life. Celiac disease diet should be followed by a dietitian after diagnosis and this diet should be transformed into a lifestyle.
Which Doctor Should Be Seen for Celiac Disease?
People who show signs of celiac disease should consult a gastroenterologist. After the diagnosis is made with the necessary tests, the patient should also apply to a dietitian and arrange the nutrition program based on the celiac disease menu provided. Vitamin supplements can also be given if necessary.
What is Celiac Disease? About Symptoms, Treatment and Testing
Celiac disease is damage to cells in the small intestine by the consumption of gluten-containing foods. Celiac disease, in which nutrient absorption is impaired and many diseases are triggered accordingly, is a genetic and chronic disorder. In celiac disease, which can occur at any age from infancy to adulthood, people diagnosed with celiac disease should avoid gluten-containing foods such as barley, wheat and rye. “How is celiac disease diagnosed?” and “What should celiac patients eat and what should they avoid?” You can find answers to your questions like this in this article.