celiac /ce·li·ac/ (se´le-ak) abdominal.
celiac
celiac [se´le-ak]
Patient discussion about celiac.
ce·li·ac or coe·li·ac (s  l- k )adj. Of or relating to the abdomen or abdominal cavity. |
celiac
[sē′lē·ak]
Etymology: Gk, koilia, belly
pertaining to the abdominal cavity.
celiac [se´le-ak]
pertaining to the abdomen.
celiac disease a malabsorption syndrome characterized by marked atrophy and loss of function of the villi of the jejunum and occasionally the cecum. A distinction was formerly made between infantile, childhood, and adult forms, but they are now all considered to be the same entity. Called also celiac or nontropical sprue and gluten enteropathy.
The condition is related in some way to dietary gluten and is either a hypersensitive reaction to a protein in certain cereal grains or a local toxic inflammatory reaction to gluten. A hereditary factor has been implicated because the disease occurs in familial clusters. Diagnosis is usually made in young to middle-aged adults, but the onset of symptoms often is traced to early childhood.
The symptoms of celiac disease are fairly typical of all malabsorption syndromes. Manifestations include large, foul-smelling, bulky, frothy, and pale-colored stools containing much fat. There are recurrent attacks of diarrhea, with accompanying stomach cramps, alternating with constipation. There is some edema and abdominal distention as in severe malnutrition, extreme weight loss, asthenia, deficiency of vitamins B, D, and K, and electrolyte depletion.
Diagnosis is based on intestinal biopsy and demonstrated pathological changes in the structure of the absorbing cells of the small intestine. In many cases, elimination of gluten from the diet produces a dramatic improvement in symptoms and restoration of normal function of the small intestine. Some patients experience remission within a few days, while others continue to have symptoms for months.
Treatment consists of placing the patient on a gluten-free diet that excludes all cereal grains except corn and rice. Since many prepared foods contain wheat, barley, rye, or oats to provide bulk, the patient must be cautioned to read all labels on packaged foods, even ice cream, salad dressings, condiments, and foods one would not expect to contain cereal products. (See also gluten.) Administration of corticosteroids may be necessary for some adults who do not respond to a gluten-free diet. There is evidence that celiac disease is associated with lymphoma and carcinoma of the small bowel; this is especially true of patients who have not been treated with a gluten-free diet.
The condition is related in some way to dietary gluten and is either a hypersensitive reaction to a protein in certain cereal grains or a local toxic inflammatory reaction to gluten. A hereditary factor has been implicated because the disease occurs in familial clusters. Diagnosis is usually made in young to middle-aged adults, but the onset of symptoms often is traced to early childhood.
The symptoms of celiac disease are fairly typical of all malabsorption syndromes. Manifestations include large, foul-smelling, bulky, frothy, and pale-colored stools containing much fat. There are recurrent attacks of diarrhea, with accompanying stomach cramps, alternating with constipation. There is some edema and abdominal distention as in severe malnutrition, extreme weight loss, asthenia, deficiency of vitamins B, D, and K, and electrolyte depletion.
Diagnosis is based on intestinal biopsy and demonstrated pathological changes in the structure of the absorbing cells of the small intestine. In many cases, elimination of gluten from the diet produces a dramatic improvement in symptoms and restoration of normal function of the small intestine. Some patients experience remission within a few days, while others continue to have symptoms for months.
Treatment consists of placing the patient on a gluten-free diet that excludes all cereal grains except corn and rice. Since many prepared foods contain wheat, barley, rye, or oats to provide bulk, the patient must be cautioned to read all labels on packaged foods, even ice cream, salad dressings, condiments, and foods one would not expect to contain cereal products. (See also gluten.) Administration of corticosteroids may be necessary for some adults who do not respond to a gluten-free diet. There is evidence that celiac disease is associated with lymphoma and carcinoma of the small bowel; this is especially true of patients who have not been treated with a gluten-free diet.
celiac
pertaining to the abdomen.
celiac disease
a malabsorption syndrome in humans characterized by marked atrophy and loss of function of the villi of the jejunum (and rarely, the cecum). Called also celiac sprue, gluten-induced enteropathy, nontropical sprue, and adult, childhood or infantile celiac disease. Occasionally suspected as the cause of villous atrophy in dogs.
Patient discussion about celiac.
Q. What is Gluten and what is gluten allergy? My nephew is coming to stay with me for a few days and his mother told me that since he is allergic to gluten that I shouldn't give him to eat any. What is gluten?
A. Gluten is a protein that is found in wheat (and similar proteins of the tribe Triticeae which includes other cultivars such as barley and rye). When someone is allergic to gluten the only effective treatment is a lifelong gluten-free diet.
Here is a link to a website with ideas for cooking without gluten:
http://www.celiac.com/categories/Gluten%252dFree-Cooking/
Here is a link to a website with ideas for cooking without gluten:
http://www.celiac.com/categories/Gluten%252dFree-Cooking/
Q. Is FTT a symptom of celiac? My 1.5 year old son has FTT (failure to thrive) and stomach aches. What could be causing it?
A. Failure to thrive lacks a precise definition, in part because it describes a condition rather than a specific disease. Children who fail to thrive don't receive or are unable to take in, retain, or utilize the calories needed to gain weight and grow as expected. FTT can be caused from many different things: social factors, conditions involving the gastrointestinal system like gastroesophageal reflux, chronic diarrhea, cystic fibrosis, chronic liver disease, and celiac disease. From a chronic illness or medical disorder, an intolerance of milk protein, infections or metabolic disorders.
Q. How do you diagnose celiac? My daughter is 3 years old and is constantly vomiting, has diarrhea and stomach aches. Could this be celiac?
A. Numerous studies demonstrate that children with Celiac frequently have gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as diarrhea with failure to thrive (FTT), abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation, and abdominal distension. The symptoms you described could in fact be celiac so you should ask your GP to test your duaghter for it.
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