While no cure for celiac disease has yet been found, treatment is utterly vital for those who suffer from it. The only treatment is a diet that is completely gluten-free. A gluten free diet not only curbs the symptoms of celiac disease but allows damaged tissues of the small intestine to heal.
A gluten free diet is critical for another very important reason. Left unchecked, celiac disease can cause severe complications in the small intestine and other organs. Some of the problems can be chronic and even life-threatening. Celiac complications include cancer, osteoporosis, anemia and seizures.
Celiac disease is an immunological disease, and has been associated with a number of autoimmune diseases. Statistically, celiac disease sufferers have a higher incidence of the following conditions:
Patients with unchecked celiac disease run an increased risk of contracting a number of malignancies. These include:
Celiac Disease and Fertility in Women In the past, studies have raised concerns that celiac disease could reduce a woman's prospects for having children. But ongoing studies have concluded that fertility rates for women with celiac disease are similar to those of the general female population.
In the past, studies have raised concerns that celiac disease could reduce a woman's prospects for having children. But ongoing studies have concluded that fertility rates for women with celiac disease are similar to those of the general female population.
Celiac complications are extensive. Unless sufferers adhere to a completely gluten free diet, they are increasingly at risk for these additional nutrition-related problems:
Medical researchers have begun to detect connections between celiac disease and a host of seemingly unrelated maladies. While these celiac complications are far less common, they appear to be, in some way, linked to the disease:
Celia complications can be mild or severe. They can trigger nutritional deficiencies, other immunologic diseases, or, in the worst cases, dangerous malignancies. If you've been diagnosed with celiac disease, stay on a strictly gluten free diet to avoid any complications.
Beers, M.H.
Tree.com provides information on health-related topics, not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment recommendations. Please consult your physician if you have questions or concerns.