Overview

Name: Celiac disease

Description: Also known as gluten-sensitive enteropathy

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The author of this casebook has identified the following medical topics as being highly relevant to this casebook.

• Protein-Losing Enteropathies -- Pathological conditions in the INTESTINES that are characterized by the gastrointestinal loss of serum proteins, including SERUM ALBUMIN; IMMUNOGLOBULINS; and at times LYMPHOCYTES. Severe condition can result in HYPOGAMMAGLOBULINEMIA or LYMPHOPENIA. Protein-losing enteropathies are associated with a number of diseases including INTESTINAL LYMPHANGIECTASIA; WHIPPLE'S DISEASE; and NEOPLASMS of the SMALL INTESTINE.
  
  
• Celiac Disease -- A malabsorption syndrome that is precipitated by the ingestion of GLUTEN-containing foods, such as wheat, rye, and barley. It is characterized by INFLAMMATION of the SMALL INTESTINE, loss of MICROVILLI structure, failed INTESTINAL ABSORPTION, and MALNUTRITION.
  
  

Notes

Celiac disease is a disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. People who have the disease cannot tolerate gluten, a protein in wheat, rye, and barley. When exposed to gluten, the body produces an abnormal immune response to it, attacking the lining of small intestine (specifically the small fingerlike projections called villi) where digestion takes place. This leads to the symptoms of celiac disease:

• abdominal bloating and pain
• chronic diarrhea
• vomiting
• constipation
• pale, foul-smelling, or fatty stool
• weight loss

In children, irritability is a frequent symptom. Poor absorption of nutrients can also lead to poor growth and poor tooth development. Adults can also have non intestinal symptoms including:

• abdominal bloating and pain
• chronic diarrhea
• vomiting
• constipation
• pale, foul-smelling, or fatty stool
• weight loss

Gluten is found mainly in foods but may also be found in everyday products such as medicines, vitamins, and lip balms. Treatment consists of the strict elimination of foods containing gluten.

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