What Do I Need to Know About Celiac Disease?
Almost always contained in grains like wheat, barley, rye, noodles, breakfast cereal, and other carb-rich foods, gluten can often be a part of anyone's diet. However, for adults, teens, or kids with celiac disease, taking in food items with gluten could cause detrimental health issues. The single effective remedy for gluten sensitivity is the eradication of gluten from your diet. If you think you could be suffering from celiac disease, partner with a gastrointestinal (GI) specialist at San Antonio Gastroenterology Associates to diagnose and manage your gluten sensitivity. Our San Antonio, TX professionals can help you navigate your new condition and help you modify your nutrition accordingly.
Learning about celiac disease
Known as an autoimmune condition, celiac disease is an illness in which ingesting gluten leads to the deterioration of the small intestines. Patients could develop celiac disease no matter how old or young they are. It is estimated that two million U.S. citizens are suffering from celiac disease and that nearly two-thirds of these people are not diagnosed or improperly diagnosed. When treatment is not sought out, celiac disease could result in severe health complications.
Celiac disease symptoms
Someone with celiac disease may experience one or several of these problems after consuming gluten:
- Pain, tingling, or poor circulation in the feet
- Difficulty while making bowel movements
- Rashes
- Lightheadedness
- Indigestion
- Loose stools
- Tooth decay
- Abdominal bloating
If you or someone you know notices these common celiac disease symptoms, get in touch with our San Antonio, TX practice to schedule a visit with a gastroenterologist. Getting the best care could help enhance your overall well-being.
How is celiac disease detected?
A GI physician is able to diagnose celiac disease. Your GI provider may perform one or both of the two gluten sensitivity diagnostics to confirm or exclude the condition:
- A tissue transglutaminase (tTG)-IgA test is a blood assessment that is often adequate in diagnosing gluten sensitivity.
- An HLA genetic test looks for the HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 serotypes. While this diagnostic cannot diagnose celiac disease, not possessing these alleles can rule out the illness.
The next stage of detecting celiac disease is to complete an upper endoscopy. Throughout this procedure, your GI specialist will observe your small intestine for any deterioration by inserting an endoscope through your oral cavity. An upper endoscopy is often an easy outpatient procedure at San Antonio Gastroenterology Associates.
What you can do to treat celiac disease
Celiac disease is a lifelong disease. However, it may be treated by adapting to a diet composed of gluten-free foods. For many patients with celiac disease, following a gluten-free diet can work to relieve symptoms or even prompt the small intestine to heal. Individuals who have the disease and practice gluten-free eating habits typically see improvements to their digestive health after several weeks. Removing gluten from your diet can prove to be hard at first, but through the guidance of a knowledgeable dietitian and gastroenterologist at San Antonio Gastroenterology Associates, patients in San Antonio, TX who have celiac disease can change their diet and go on to live happy lives.
Reach out to our San Antonio, TX team if you think you have celiac disease
Gluten sensitivity could affect your total wellness and change many aspects of your life. With care from our San Antonio, TX team, however, you can manage this GI condition and improve your digestive health. For more information about celiac disease and how it is diagnosed, please get in touch with San Antonio Gastroenterology Associates.