About Coeliac condition

What is Coeliac Disease

Coeliac disease is caused by an intolerance to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye – some people with coeliac disease react to oats too – can be treated by excluding gluten from the diet. 

The disease can lead to far more serious conditions, such as osteoporosis, infertility and gut cancer if left untreated. 

The symptoms are very individual but can include tiredness, anaemia, diarrhoea, abdominal discomfort, weight loss, vomiting and mouth ulcers.  Coeliac disease in children can stunt growth and have a significant impact on a child’s overall development.

This gluten-intolerance causes an inflammatory response that damages the gut. Villi – tiny finger-like projections that line the gut – become inflamed and then flattened (villous atrophy) leading to a decreased surface area for absorption of nutrients from food.  When the gut lining is damaged in this way the body cannot absorb all the necessary nutrients from food.  Because of this lack of nutrients, people with undiagnosed coeliac disease can have a wide range of stomach and bowel symptoms and can suffer from nutritional deficiencies.

This condition cannot be cured by can be controlled by following a gluten free diet.