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Cause of Celiac Disease
The cause of Celiac Disease, also known as celiac sprue, or gluten sensitive enteropathy (GSE), is unknown. Research indicates that Celiac Disease is strongly associated with a group of genes on Chromosome 6. These genes (HLA class II) are involved in the regulation of the body's immune response to the gluten protein fractions. One out of 133 people in the United States is affected with celiac disease. Celiac Disease occurs in 5-15% of the offspring and siblings of a person with celiac disease. In 70% of identical twin pairs, both twins have the disease. It is strongly suggested that family members be tested, even if asymptomatic. Family members who have an autoimmune disease are at a 25% increased risk of having celiac disease.

Celiac Disease Diagnosis
A person seeking preliminary diagnosis of celiac disease must be consuming gluten. Specific antibody blood tests are used to identify the presence of celiac disease and are the initial step in screening and should include: IgA endomysial antibodies (EMA), IgA tissue transglutaminase (tTG), IgG tissue transglutaminase and Total IgA antibodies. It is essential that patients with positive antibody tests, and those with an IgA deficiency, have a small bowel biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and assess the degree of mucosal damage, which is performed endoscopically. When serology and biopsy are inconclusive, testing for specific HLA (human leukocyte antigen) genes associated with celiac disease may be helpful in screening for CD. If these genes are NOT present, it is unlikely that the individual will develop CD. A positive HLA or genetic test, however, does not mean that the individual has the condition, as these genes are common in the general population. Patients should consult with an experienced physician to ensure proper diagnosis. Dermatitis Herpetiformis (DH) is diagnosed by a biopsy of a skin lesion and staining for IgA in the tissues. More than 85% of DH patients have small-bowel sensitivity to gluten. Everyone with DH needs to follow a gluten-free diet.

Celiac Disease Symptoms
Adults
Celiac Disease may appear at any time in a person's life. The disease can be triggered for the first time after surgery, viral infection, severe emotional stress, pregnancy or childbirth. CD is a multi-system, multi-symptom disorder. Celiac Disease symptoms are extremely varied, can often mimic other bowel disorders and are not always gastrointestinal.
Children
Infants, toddlers, and young children often exhibit growth failure, vomiting, bloated abdomen and behavioral changes.
Symptoms of Celiac Disease May Include One or More of the Following:
• Recurring bloating, gas, or abdominal pain
• Chronic diarrhea or constipation or both
• Unexplained weight loss or weight gain
• Pale, foul-smelling stool
• Unexplained anemia
• Bone or joint pain
• Behavior changes/depression/irritability
• Vitamin K Deficiency
• Fatigue, weakness or lack of energy
• Delayed growth or onset of puberty
• Failure to thrive (in infants)
• Missed mentrual periods
• Infertility male & female
• Spontaneous miscarriages
• Canker sores inside the mouth
• Tooth discoloration or loss of enamel
Have You or a Family Member Been Diagnosed With the Following?
• Type 1 Diabetes
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Fibromyalgia
• IBS
• Eczema
• Sjogren's Syndrome
• Peripheral Neuropathy
• Thyroid Disease
• Dermatitis Herpetiformis
• Osteoporosis
Dermatitis Herpetiformis (DH) is skin manifestation of celiac disease characterized by blistering, intensely itchy skin. The rash has a symmetrical distribution and is most frequently found on the face, elbows, knees and buttocks. DH patients can have gastrointestinal damage without perceptible symptoms

Major Causes
The cause of Celiac Disease, also known as celiac sprue, or gluten sensitive enteropathy (GSE), is still not known. Some Research shows that Celiac Disease is strongly associated with a group of genes on Chromosome 6. These genes (HLA class II) are involved in the regulation of the body's immune response to the gluten protein fractions. Less than one percent in the United States is affected with celiac disease. Celiac Disease occurs in 5-15% of the offspring and siblings of a person with celiac disease. From among Celiac patients who are identical twins, the incidence of both twins having the disease is about 70%. It is strongly suggested that family members be tested, even if asymptomatic. Family members who have an autoimmune disease are at a 25% increased risk of having celiac disease.

Treatment of Celiac Disease
The only treatment for CD/DH is the lifelong adherence to a gluten-free diet. When gluten is removed from the diet, the small intestine will start to heal and overall health improves. Medication is not normally required. Because osteoporosis is common and may be profound in patients with newly diagnosed CD, bone density should be measured at or shortly after diagnosis. Consult your physician regarding specific nutritional supplementation to correct any deficiencies. The diagnosed celiac should have medical follow-up to monitor the clinical response to the gluten-free diet. Dietary compliance increases the quality of life and decreases the likelihood of osteoporosis, intestinal lymphoma and other associated illnesses.
Adapting to the gluten-free diet requires some lifestyle changes. It is essential to read labels which are often imprecise, and to learn how to identify ingredients that may contain hidden gluten.
Be aware that hidden gluten can be found in some unlikely foods such as: cold cuts, soups, hard candies, soy sauce, many low or non-fat products, even licorice and jelly beans.
Potential harmful ingredients include:
• unidentified starch
• modified food starch
• binders
• fillers
• excipients
• extenders
• malt

What Happens With Celiac Disease
When individuals with CD ingest gluten, the villi, tiny hair-like projections in the small intestine that absorb nutrients from food, are damaged. This is due to an immunological reaction to gluten. Damaged villi do not effectively absorb basic nutrients -- proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and, in some cases, water and bile salts. If CD is left untreated, damage to the small bowel can be chronic and life threatening, causing an increased risk of associated disorders -- both nutritional and immune related.
Some long-term conditions that can result from untreated CD:
• Iron deficiency anemia
• Osteoporosis
• Vitamin K deficiency associated with risk for hemorrhaging
• Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
• Central and peripheral nervous system disorders -- usually due to unsuspected nutrient deficiencies
• Pancreatic insufficiency
• Intestinal Lymphomas and other GI cancers
• Lactose intolerance
• Neurological manifestations
Other associated autoimmune disorders:
• Dermatitis Herpetiformis (DH)
• Insulin-dependent Type I Diabetes Mellitus
• Thyroid Disease
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
• Liver Diseases
Less commonly linked to CD:
• Addison’s Disease
• Chronic Active Hepatitis
• Down Syndrome
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Turner Syndrome
• Williams Syndrome
• Sjogren’s Syndrome
• Fibromyalgia
• Alopecia Areata
• Scleroderma
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The most important step you can do is to buy from a trusted supplier of gluten-free products.

Sunspotshop: your source for trusted gluten free products