Celiac Disease

Gluten is a big time buzz word in the media these days. Gluten-free diets are all the rage, and many people claim intolerance. While not everyone who avoids gluten has an intolerance, there is a serious ailment called celiac disease that does affect some adults and children and requires a change in diet. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye and barley, and these grains are found in everyday foods. When someone with celiac disease eats gluten—bread, bagel or pasta, for example—the body starts damaging parts of the intestines. This means the body cannot absorb vitamins and nutrients, and the person can become malnourished HealthyKids.org).                                                                                                                                                                                          

The signs and symptoms of celiac disease look different for children, teenagers and adults. Infants and children tend to have digestive problems that can include diarrhea or constipation, vomiting, abdominal bloating and pain. Teenagers may have many of the same symptoms but also may experience delayed puberty, depressions and a skin rash that looks like eczema or poison ivy (MayoClinic.org).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Many children are diagnosed between 6 months and 2 years, the age when they typically encounter gluten for the first time. Other times, the symptoms come and go and range in severity, thus the diagnosis often is missed. Celiac disease is frequently mistaken for irritable bowel syndrome or lactose intolerance (HealthyKids.org).                                                                                                                                                      

Treatment of celiac disease consists of eliminating gluten from the diet. This can be a big adjustment to make and involves changes in the entire family’s diet to accommodate the affected child. Some children and adults are more sensitive than others, and finding the right balance can take time. While some children will be able to tolerate small amounts of oats, others will require their own toaster and condiments that do not come into contact with any gluten products that other family members may be consuming (WebMD.com).                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Celiac disease is a chronic, lifelong condition, and no two cases look exactly the same. If someone in the family has celiac disease, another family member has a 5 to 10 percent chance of also being diagnosed (HealthyKids.org).

            Jessica Heine is a labor & delivery nurse. She lives in Olathe with her family.

As always, please contact your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns.