What Is Celiac Disease and How Is It Managed?

Almost always found in everyday foods, such as wheat, rye, barley, pasta, cereal, and bread, gluten has the potential to be a recurring part of most people's diet. However, for adults, teens, or kids who have celiac disease, taking in foods with gluten can cause detrimental health problems. The only recognized solution for gluten sensitivity is the eradication of gluten from your daily dietary intake. If you believe you could have celiac disease, seek out a GI specialist at Texas Digestive Disease Consultants to learn if this type of gluten sensitivity could be impacting your health. Our Texas team can diagnose the condition and help you learn to manage your nutrition appropriately.

Celiac disease and what it means

Classified as an autoimmune disease, celiac disease is a disorder where the ingestion of gluten leads to the deterioration of the small intestine. Individuals can develop celiac disease in any stage of life. It is estimated that close to two million Americans have celiac disease and that almost two-thirds of them are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. If not taken care of, this condition could result in serious health concerns.

Common indications of celiac disease

An individual with celiac disease might experience one or more of these symptoms after ingesting gluten:

• Passing out
• Skin rashes
• Tooth decay
• Pain, tingling, or poor circulation in the feet
• Abdominal bloating
• Heartburn
• Trouble making bowel movements
• Loose stools

If you or a member of your family are experiencing any celiac disease symptoms, call our Texas office to book a consultation with a GI specialist. Having the right medical attention might help renew your total well-being, as well as your intestinal health.

How is celiac disease diagnosed?

GI physicians specialize in digestive health and commonly diagnose celiac disease among patients of all ages. Your gastroenterologist might provide one or both of the following celiac disease tests to help detect the presence of this condition:

• A tissue transglutaminase (tTG)-IgA test is a blood exam that may effectively detect gluten sensitivity.
• An HLA genetic test searches for the HLA-DQ8 and HLA-DQ2 genes. Even though it cannot diagnose celiac disease, this test can help to determine when the disease is not present.

The subsequent stage of screening for celiac disease is to carry out an upper endoscopy. During this diagnostic procedure, your gastrointestinal specialist will assess your small intestine for damage by inserting a thin tube equipped with a camera into your esophagus. An upper endoscopy is generally a simple procedure that is offered on an outpatient basis at Texas Digestive Disease Consultants.

How is celiac disease managed?

Celiac disease is a long-standing condition, but it can be managed through a diet of gluten-free foods. For many patients with celiac disease, consuming a diet free of gluten may soothe issues or even enable the small intestine to recover. Adults and kids with celiac disease who avoid foods that contain gluten generally observe improvements in their gastrointestinal system after a handful of weeks. Isolating gluten from the diet might feel hard initially, but with the aid of a knowledgeable dietitian and a GI specialist at Texas Digestive Disease Consultants, people in Texas with celiac disease can modify their eating habits and improve their digestive health.

Have celiac disease in Texas?

Gluten sensitivity can impact your complete wellness and change your way of life. But with proper care from our Texas gastroenterology team, you or your loved one can get the help you need to keep the condition under control. To find out more about celiac disease and how you can manage this digestive illness, please get in touch with Texas Digestive Disease Consultants.