Celiac sprue is a digestive problem that damages the small intestine, where the most crucial part of digestion takes place. It is considered an autoimmune disorder, which simply means that the body’s own immune system is turning on itself. During a normal digestive process, the small intestine’s job is to absorb the nutrients in food. Celiac sprue interferes with that process and the people who suffer from it cannot tolerate gluten. Gluten is a protein that is found in wheat, barley, rye and sometimes oat products. If gluten is digested, the immune system responds by damaging the villi in the small intestine. These villi are tiny hair-like projections that line the inside wall of the small intestine and help the nutrients pass into the bloodstream. Once there, the nutrients are transported to various parts of the body to keep it in good working order. Without the help of the villi, you can become malnourished, no matter how much food you eat.
Gastrointestinal specialists are still doing a lot of research on celiac sprue, but they have found that it does seem to be a genetic problem. The problem can remain inactive for a long time, becoming active only when there are extreme health problems or severe emotional stress. While many people in America have never even heard of it, it is the most common genetic disease in Europe. Nearly 1 in every 250 people in Italy have it, yet it almost never occurs in Africa, China or Japan. It is unknown how many Americans have celiac sprue because it is often under diagnosed, but there may be just as many Americans as Europeans who have it.
While it is a genetic disorder, those who are of European descent and people with immune system disorders are at higher risk for developing celiac sprue. Such diseases include type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, among others. Symptoms can vary from one person to another but a few of the symptoms include:
- Recurring bloating and pain in the abdomen
- Chronic diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Anemia (low red blood cell count)
- Bone pain
- Behavior changes
- Muscle cramps
- Seizures
- Tingling or numbness in legs
These are merely a few of the symptoms that occur so it is important that you call one of the gastrointestinal specialists at the GI Associates if you think you might be at risk or for a more detailed list of the symptoms.
A gastroenterologist diagnoses celiac sprue by doing blood tests and checking for higher levels of specific antibodies that are produced in the body as a result of eating gluten. It the blood results reveal that there are high levels of these antibodies then a biopsy will be done using an endoscope to check for damage. A biopsy of the small intestine is the best way for a gastroenterologist to confirm whether or not a person has celiac sprue. An early diagnosis and treatment help to prevent any further damage to the intestines. If not treated immediately it could cause other medical problems like malnutrition, being lactose intolerant, osteoporosis, or neurological conditions.
Talk with your gastroenterologist about how to implement a gluten-free diet. It is important to research everything that you eat in order to make sure it does not contain gluten, or hidden gluten sources. While the list of foods to avoid is pretty long, there are many foods you can enjoy that are gluten free. There is a recent surge of gluten-free products that make living a gluten-free life a relatively easy one. Now one does not even have to sacrifice things like brownies and breads that normally would not be allowed. Just make sure to read all labels before buying to make sure it is gluten-free. Any of the gastroenterologists at GI Associates would be glad to assist you in helping you understand more about which foods you can and cannot eat and how to maintain a gluten-free life.