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Coeliac Disease -
What is it?
Information about Coeliac
Disease Coeliac Disease (pronounced seel-ee-ak) is a medical
condition and is a permanent intestinal intolerance to dietary gluten. In
untreated coeliac disease the lining of the small bowel (intestine) is damaged.
This causes a flattening of the tiny, finger-like projections, called villi,
which line the inside of the bowel. The function of the cells on normal
villi is to break down and absorb nutrients in food. In untreated coeliac
disease, the lining of the intestine becomes inflamed and gives a characteristic
flat appearance (villous atrophy). The surface area, which enables the
absorption of the nutrients and minerals from food, is seriously depleted.
This leads to deficiencies in vitamins, minerals and sometimes calcium,
proteins, carbohydrates and fats. What is
the cause? In people with coeliac disease, the body
has an immune (allergic) reaction to gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye,
barley, triticale and possible oats.). This causes damage to the lining of
the small bowel which results in a reduction in the surface area of the
villi or finger-like projections of the bowel. Both genetic and
environmental factors play important roles in coeliac disease. It is a
genetic condition, but may be triggered by other factors, some as yet not
identified. Is Coeliac Disease
familial? Around 10* of all first degree relatives
(parents, brothers, sisters or children) of a person with coeliac disease will
also have the disease. With identical twins, if one is affected there is a
70% (approx.) chance that the other twin will also be affected (but not
necessarily at the same time.). This confirms that both genetic and
environmental factors influence the development of coeliac disease.
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Coeliac Disease - what is it?
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