A reaction to protein found in wheat products causes the intestine to flatten so that nutrients are unable to be absorbed. Although health experts believe the disease is not that widespread, it is hard to identify because the symptoms vary widely. As well, this is one disease that doesn't involve a lot of treatments.
The only treatment that is available is to adhere to a diet of gluten free foods.
Finding The Right Foods To Eat
There are food choices out there for suffers of this autoimmune disease. The main problem for those trying to buy only gluten free products is that some foods that are labeled "gluten-free," are not always so. Usually, the products that claim to be gluten-free still have traces of gluten in them.
This can be detrimental to the treatments for the coeliac person, as any traces of gluten in the system starts the negative reaction against the small intestine. Most people who suffer from coeliac disease have to make all of their own foods from scratch, to avoid any products that might contain traces of gluten.
Health experts project that this genetic disease is a lot more common than you might think. However, since the symptoms vary so much, it is hard to tell who actually suffers from it. No treatment method has been proven to work other than the total avoidance of gluten altogether, but doctors and scientists are hoping to find something soon.
One of the things that they are working on is the idea of gluten free wheat. The scientists are trying to see if they can genetically alter wheat so that it does not contain gluten. Another thing they are trying is to give those afflicted an enzyme that would allow them to consume gluten. There are several other more complicated treatment ideas that scientists and doctors are trying to figure out as well. But for now, all that can really be done is to stick to a celiac disease diet.
Having the celiac sprue disease is a hindrance to every day life for the people who suffer from it. Children especially have a hard time, and it can be a lot more damaging to them, because their growth can actually be stunted.
Celiac disease, also known as celiac sprue or gluten-sensitive enteropathy, is a chronic disorder of the digestive tract that results in an inability to tolerate gliadin, the alcohol-soluble fraction of gluten. Gluten is a protein commonly found in wheat, rye, and barley. Source: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/171805-overview
Currently, there are not very many treatments for celiac disease. However, scientists are working on the problem, as it is discovered that more and more people suffer from the disease. Celiac disease is genetic, so as time goes by it will become more and more prevalent.
The best thing to do to treat this disease is to eat only gluten free, celiac food. That is the best and only treatment method available today.
No comments:
Post a Comment