Countering Gluten-free Disease: Diagnosis and Treatments Options

Celiac disease or gluten free disease as it is commonly referred to, is the result of a weird kind of immune response of the body to gluten. It involves a reaction to gliding, a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, and oats. There occurs an inflammation and destruction of the inner lining of the small intestine due to an allergic reaction to gluten present in the diet. This leads to an impaired absorption of minerals and nutrients. Although there is no cure for celiac disease, a gluten-free diet is the essential for its treatment.

Few symptoms of the disease include:

•       Abdominal cramps
•     Gas and bloating
•     Bone and joint pain
•     Depression
•     Easy bruising
•     Failure to thrive in children
•     Persistent hunger
•     Iron-deficiency anemia
•     Infertility
•     Panic attacks
•     Vertigo
•     Dermatitis  

 

The disease can sometimes get confused with diseases like Crohn's disease of the small intestine, irritation bowel syndrome and overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine. Two kinds of tests are performed for an accurate diagnosis including:

Blood tests: The blood tests for celiac disease include detection of antigliadin antibodies, endomysial antibodies (EmA), and anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies. 

Small Intestinal Biopsy: This is considered as the most accurate test to detect celiac disease. Multiple samples of the intestinal lining are obtained in order to get a higher accuracy of results.

 The main treatment strategy for celiac disease includes consuming gluten-free diet for life. Patients who are suffering from the celiac disease should strictly avoid gluten. This would allow the intestines to heal. 

Guidelines for a Gluten-Free Diet

• One should have a diet restricted in foods made from enriched flour, wheat, rye, bran, bulgur, and barley.

• Strict prohibition should be applied to beer and grain-based alcohol.

• Avoid oats in the diet. Preparations made from oats may also be contaminated with wheat. In fact, food products may be manufactured in facilities producing gluten.

• Place a restriction on the use and consumption of processed foods like soups, salad dressings, soy sauce, seasonings, ice-creams, mustard, processed and canned meats and more.

• Restrict dairy products like milk containing lactose. Individuals suffering from celiac disease are also prone to lactose intolerance. After treatment, lactose should be introduced gradually into the diet.

• Products like corn, sorghum, millets, rice can be consumed by patients with the gluten free disease. One can also consume quinoa and buckwheat.

• Bananas, potatoes, tapioca, garbanzo beans can serve as the excellent sources of carbohydrates.

 

Besides, learning to substitute ingredients while modifying the cooking conditions like temperature and time, one can enjoy the best foods while avoiding deficiencies. You may visit Nutrition4Kids to find more about the gluten-free disease and the latest treatment options for this condition given by medical professionals.