Description
Celiac Disease is a chronic small bowel disease characterized as an autoimmune disorder that occurs in genetically predisposed individuals. People inherit this genetic variation from their parents. Gluten, the trigger for Celiac Disease, is a combination of proteins, found in wheat, barley, and rye, called prolamins. Most common are the promanlines called gliadins, glutenins, hordeins, and secalin which all contain proline and glutamine residues. These residues make gluten resistant to digestion while making them exposed to the enzyme tissue transglutaminase. Tissue transglutaminase causes the immune system, which normally acts as an individual's defense system, to produce antibodies towards gluten. These antibodies attack the …show more content…
In the United States, epidemiologic studies done prior to 2000 show approximately 5,000-10,000 people were affected by Celiac Disease. A scientist named Aretaeus of wrote, “If the stomach be irretentive of the food and if it pass through undigested and crude, and nothing ascends into the body, we call such persons coeliacs”. His finding began the research into this peculiar disease. In 1887, Samuel Gee was the first to describe the typical symptoms associated with Celiac Disease; thus, raising awareness about its existence. Then, in the 1930’s, William Dicke made a connection between children's improving health, and the lack of wheat accessible during World War II. His findings strengthened the link between wheat and Celiac Disease. After the war, when wheat was reintroduced into diets their health deteriorated again; further proving their relationship. However, in more recent studies, the prevalence of Celiac Disease is much higher with estimates of Celiac Disease affecting 1% of the entire population. Relatives are at an increased probability of having Celiac Disease with 4.5% of first degree relatives being accurately diagnosed. Individuals of European ancestry commonly have Celiac Disease, or anyone within groups that consume a gluten-rich diet. Celiac Disease is also prevalent in North Africa, North America, and Western Countries; locations where gluten is a major component …show more content…
This disease is difficult to diagnose due to the wide range of symptoms that can emerge. Depending upon the amount of intestinal damage and the amount of time the villi have been compromised leads to the severity and type of symptoms that occur. In totality there are 300 known symptoms that may occur in the digestive system as a result of Celiac Disease. Although, there can be a variety of symptoms the most common include: abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation. Some unique symptoms, not dealing with the digestive system include: poor growth, infertility, depression, ADHD, and epilepsy. The type and severity of your symptoms relies upon how your individual body reacts. In some cases individuals experience no symptoms at all. These individuals only discover their disease when long-term symptoms present. This makes a diagnosis of Celiac Disease a lengthy and tumultuous
Celiac Disease is a chronic small bowel disease characterized as an autoimmune disorder that occurs in genetically predisposed individuals. People inherit this genetic variation from their parents. Gluten, the trigger for Celiac Disease, is a combination of proteins, found in wheat, barley, and rye, called prolamins. Most common are the promanlines called gliadins, glutenins, hordeins, and secalin which all contain proline and glutamine residues. These residues make gluten resistant to digestion while making them exposed to the enzyme tissue transglutaminase. Tissue transglutaminase causes the immune system, which normally acts as an individual's defense system, to produce antibodies towards gluten. These antibodies attack the …show more content…
In the United States, epidemiologic studies done prior to 2000 show approximately 5,000-10,000 people were affected by Celiac Disease. A scientist named Aretaeus of wrote, “If the stomach be irretentive of the food and if it pass through undigested and crude, and nothing ascends into the body, we call such persons coeliacs”. His finding began the research into this peculiar disease. In 1887, Samuel Gee was the first to describe the typical symptoms associated with Celiac Disease; thus, raising awareness about its existence. Then, in the 1930’s, William Dicke made a connection between children's improving health, and the lack of wheat accessible during World War II. His findings strengthened the link between wheat and Celiac Disease. After the war, when wheat was reintroduced into diets their health deteriorated again; further proving their relationship. However, in more recent studies, the prevalence of Celiac Disease is much higher with estimates of Celiac Disease affecting 1% of the entire population. Relatives are at an increased probability of having Celiac Disease with 4.5% of first degree relatives being accurately diagnosed. Individuals of European ancestry commonly have Celiac Disease, or anyone within groups that consume a gluten-rich diet. Celiac Disease is also prevalent in North Africa, North America, and Western Countries; locations where gluten is a major component …show more content…
This disease is difficult to diagnose due to the wide range of symptoms that can emerge. Depending upon the amount of intestinal damage and the amount of time the villi have been compromised leads to the severity and type of symptoms that occur. In totality there are 300 known symptoms that may occur in the digestive system as a result of Celiac Disease. Although, there can be a variety of symptoms the most common include: abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation. Some unique symptoms, not dealing with the digestive system include: poor growth, infertility, depression, ADHD, and epilepsy. The type and severity of your symptoms relies upon how your individual body reacts. In some cases individuals experience no symptoms at all. These individuals only discover their disease when long-term symptoms present. This makes a diagnosis of Celiac Disease a lengthy and tumultuous