Celiac disease is a disease of the gastrointestinal tract that affects the mucous membrane of the large intestine, while the absorption is disrupted and gluten intolerance develops – one of the main proteins found in cereals.
reasons
As a rule, celiac disease is a purely hereditary disease. However, some experts note some dependence of the development of celiac disease on the level of immune status.
Moreover, there are some contributing factors in which the development of celiac disease is possible (cases have been reported):
Disorders of the endocrine system – type 1 diabetes mellitus
Connective tissue diseases
Autoimmune diseases – rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune thyroiditis, Sjogren’s syndrome, herpetiform dermatitis
Enzymatic insufficiency
Some viral diseases
symptoms
Celiac disease is characterized by a number of symptoms:
Steatorrhea is the presence of fat in the feces. Feces become greasy, may be covered with a greasy film. The smell is unpleasant, sometimes even fetid.
Diarrhea is frequent loose stools.
Weight loss is a rapid loss of body weight without loss of appetite.
Malabsorption syndrome is a violation of the absorption of nutrients in the small intestine.
Dry skin
Congenital celiac disease in children manifests itself by the age of two, when the diet expands significantly and becomes almost like an ordinary person. The appearance of the child is specific – a sleepy face, almost not expressing interest, pale. The stomach is swollen, the child is tormented by flatulence, the stomach often rumbles. The stool is irregular, constipation is replaced by attacks of diarrhea. The frequency of stool can reach 6 times a day, the consistency of feces is frothy, pieces of undigested food are noted.
The stronger the malabsorption syndrome, the brighter the clinical picture and the worse the patient’s condition. A number of patients develop symptoms of iron deficiency anemia, osteoporosis against the background of the classical clinical picture. There is increased bleeding of the gums, frequent nosebleeds.
Patients with celiac disease are classified as an increased risk group for oncological diseases of the small and large intestine.
COMPLICATIONS
Ulceration of the intestinal walls
Perforation of the intestinal wall
Peritonitis
Gastrointestinal bleeding
Infertility
Polyhypovitaminosis
Protein deficiency
Rickets
Osteoporosis
Reduction of the spleen
Arterial hypotension
diagnostics
The diagnosis of “celiac disease” is very difficult and requires special differential diagnosis. The most informative method is the determination in the blood of specific antibodies to gliadin, as well as to tissue transglutaminase. This is a 100% way to determine the disease.
In addition, patients with suspected celiac disease are given a targeted biopsy of the small intestine and histology is performed. During which the atrophy of the mucous membrane is revealed, namely the smoothing of the villi responsible for the absorption of nutrients.
Magnetic resonance imaging, radiography with a contrast agent (intestine), ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, MRI angiography of vessels feeding the intestine are also performed.
treatment
The main goal in the treatment of celiac disease is the restoration of impaired functions of the small and large intestines, replenishment of vitamin deficiency and normalization of body weight. Also, a mandatory item excludes food containing gluten. The diet should be maintained throughout life.
Vitamins, minerals, iron preparations are prescribed if there are signs of iron deficiency anemia. In severe cases, as well as if therapy does not have a positive effect, hormone therapy is used. As a rule, positive dynamics is observed already by the 6th week of treatment.
