| Associated Conditions: MAIN MENU | |
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| Autoimmune Diseases: Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity |
| Gluten sensitivity and Celiac disease are a known cause of scleroderma and dozens of other autoimmune diseases. Even if tests for gluten sensitivity and Celia disease are negative or inconclusive, trial of a gluten-free and casein-free (GFCF) should be considered. |
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| What is Gluten Sensitivity? |
| What is the difference between Gluten intolerance and Celiac Disease? Gluten intolerance is a broad term which includes all kinds of sensitivity to Gluten. A small proportion of Gluten intolerant people will test positive to Celiac Disease test, and so are called Celiacs (~0.5% of the population). But most Gluten sensitive people return negative or inconclusive results upon Celiac testing. The correct term for these people is Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitive (NCGS) and may be as many as ~15% of all people or 1 in 7. The Food Intolerant Consumer. |
| What is Celiac Disease? |
| Celiac Disease Health Center. Celiac disease is an immune system disorder that results in damage to the lining of the small intestine when foods with gluten are eaten. WebMD. |
| Celiac Disease. Celiac disease is a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. Foods or products containing gluten causes the immune system to damage the small intestine. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. |
| Celiac: A disease with a trigger. Celiac disease is the most common autoimmune disorder, according to the National Institutes of Health — affecting 2.5 million to 3 million Americans. For each person diagnosed with celiac disease, an estimated 60 to 70 people go undiagnosed. Examiner.com. Newark,NJ. 09/12/07. |
| Causes of Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity |
| Causes of Celiac Disease. The exact cause of celiac disease is unknown, but it's often inherited. Many times, for unclear reasons, the disease emerges after some form of trauma: an infection, a physical injury, the stress of pregnancy, severe stress or surgery. Mayo Clinic. |
| Gluten Sensitivity, Celiac Disease, and Autoimmunity |
| Autoimmune disorders in patients affected by celiac sprue and inflammatory bowel disease (IBS). Celiac sprue and Crohn's disease show similar prevalence of associated autoimmune disease, higher than the prevalence in ulcerative colitis. (PubMed) Bardella MT. Ann. Med. September 2008. (Also see: Crohn's Disease, and Ulcerative Colitis) |
| Gluten sensitivity and Celiac disease are a known cause of scleroderma and dozens of other autoimmune diseases. Even if tests for gluten sensitivity and Celia disease are negative or inconclusive, trial of a gluten-free and casein-free (GFCF) should be considered. (See Diagnosis of Gluten Sensivity and Celiac Disease) |
| Polymyositis: Can a gluten-free diet reduce symptoms? If you have polymyositis — a rare connective tissue disease — you may be at increased risk of celiac disease. In such cases, a gluten-free diet can improve signs and symptoms of celiac disease. But there's no evidence that a gluten-free diet can improve signs and symptoms of polymyositis. Mayo Clinic. (Also see: Polymyositis) |
| Co-occurrence of celiac disease and other autoimmune diseases in celiacs and their first-degree relatives. These results indicate that the presence of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus within our celiac disease families may be due to shared genetic susceptibility predisposing to these diseases or autoimmune diseases in general. (UnBound Medline) S.L. Neuhausen. J Autoimmun 2008 Aug 7. (Also see: Celiac Disease and Shared Autoimmunity) |
| The influence of gluten free diet on quantitative ultrasound of proximal phalanxes in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus and celiac disease. The gluten free diet, as well as the optimization of glycemic control, plays an important role in preventing the osteopenic status caused by the clustering of these two chronic diseases. (PubMed) Valerio, G. Bone. August 2008. (Also see: Diabetes) |
| Celiac Disease Research: Associated Diseases and Disorders. Disorders associated with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity include: anemia, arthritis, ataxia, nerve disease, neuropathy, brain damage, attention deficit disorder, autism, bacterial overgrowth, cancer, lymphoma, candida albicans, casein or cow's milk intolerance, chronic fatigue syndrome, cognitive impairment, Crohn's disease, depression, diabetes, Down Syndrome, dyspepsia, epilepsy, fibromyalgia, flatulence (gas), gall bladder disease, gastrointestinal bleeding, growth hormone deficiency, heart failure, infertility, impotency, inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal permeability, irritable bowel syndrome, kidney disease, liver disease, malnutrition, migraine headaches, miscarriage, multiple sclerosis, obesity, osteoporosis, osteomalacia, pancreatic disorders, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, schizophrenia, scleroderma, Sjogren's syndrome, skin problems, thrombocytopenic purpura, thyroid disease, and tuberculosis. Celiac com. (Also see: Symptoms of Scleroderma ) |
| Celiac disease (CD) associated with systemic sclerosis (SS). Diagnosis of CD in patients with SS may be difficult but is essential to achieve optimal treatment response in patients with poor quality of life. PubMed. Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2007 Nov;30(9):538-41. |
| Malabsorption caused by coeliac disease in patients who have scleroderma. Coeliac disease may account for malabsorption in scleroderma patients even when tests suggest bacterial overgrowth. A small bowel biopsy is essential. Oxford Journals, Rheumatology, Volume 34, Number 9, Pp. 858-861, 1995. (Also see: What is Scleroderma? ) |
| Systemic autoimmune disorders in celiac disease. There is growing evidence that the loss of the intestinal barrier function typical of celiac disease could be responsible of the onset of other autoimmune disease. This concept implies that the autoimmune response can be theoretically stopped and perhaps reversed if the interplay between autoimmune predisposing genes and trigger(s) is prevented or eliminated by a prompt diagnosis and treatment. Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 2006 Nov;22(6):674-9. (Also see: Causes of Scleroderma ) |
| Researchers study the possible relationship between myopathies and celiac disease. The scientists are considering the possibility that, at least in part, some inflammatory myopathies are a clinical expression of intolerance to gluten, though they point out the need for more studies to be carried out to confirm or support these findings. innovations report. 02/23/07. (Also see: Bowel Dysfunction, and Dermatomyositis and Polymyositis ) |
| Gluten Intolerance Quadruples Susceptibility To Tuberculosis. It affects up to 1% of the population, and has been linked to several autoimmune diseases, as well as an increased likelihood of lymph gland cancer and complications of pregnancy. Medical News Today. 10/17/06.(Also see: Bowel Dysfunction ) |
| Systemic autoimmune disorders in celiac disease. There is, however, growing evidence that the loss of the intestinal barrier function typical of celiac disease could be responsible of the onset of other autoimmune disease. PubMed Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 2006 Nov;22(6):674-9. |
| Gluten-Sensitive Enteropathy (Celiac Disease): More Common Than You Think. Gluten-sensitive enteropathy commonly manifests as "silent" celiac disease (i.e., minimal or no symptoms). Serologic tests for antibodies against endomysium, transglutaminase, and gliadin identify most patients with the disease. Gluten-sensitivity can also cause alopecia by an immunologic attack on hair follicles. American Family Physician. (Also see: Alopecia, Hair Loss ) |
| Diagnosis of Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity |
| Some people skip all medical testing and do a trial of a gluten-free diet, to see if it alleviates their symptoms. Doctors object to this approach since it can make an official diagnosis of celiac disease either difficult or impossible. |
| Enterolabs is a certified U.S. laboratory that does stool and DNA testing for gluten sensitivity, direct to patients, which they report as being about 30% more sensitive than blood tests. Enterolab. |
| Can I have gluten sensitivity if screening blood tests for celiac sprue are negative or indeterminate? Yes. Originally screening tests for gluten sensitivity/celiac sprue consisted of blood tests against the damaging protein in gluten called gliadin (antigliadin antibodies). However, with heightened awareness of the possibility of gluten sensitivity in family members of diagnosed celiacs, or in people with syndromes associated with celiac sprue, it has become clear that not all people suspected of being immunologically intolerant to gluten have positive blood tests. Finer Health. |
| Symptoms of Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity |
| Do I Have Celiac? Symptom Checklist. Frequently experiencing one or more of the symptoms listed, plus being diagnosed with any one of the diseases or conditions listed—Iron deficiency/ anemia Infertility, depression osteoporosis or osteopenia, Type 1 diabetes, thyroid disease, Sjogren’s, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, intestinal cancer, peripheral neuropathy, Down Syndrome, Turner Syndrome, Williams Syndrome, or Dermatitis herpetiformis, may indicate that you have celiac. National Foundation for Celiac Awareness. |
| What are the symptoms of gluten sensitivity? Although there may be no detectable symptoms of the immune response to gluten, the typical symptoms people develop occur when the reaction begins to damage the intestines. The symptoms, resulting from malabsorption or improper digestion of dietary nutrients, include abdominal bloating or pain, diarrhea, constipation, gaseousness, or nausea with or without vomiting. It appears that acid reflux in the esophagus, manifesting as heartburn, may be a potential symptom as well. Other symptoms people experience include fatigue, joint pains, mouth ulcers, bone pain, abnormal menses in women, and infertility. Finer Health. |
| Signs and Symptoms. There are no typical signs and symptoms of celiac disease. Most people with the disease have general complaints, such as intermittent diarrhea, abdominal pain and bloating. Mayo Clinic. |
| Treatment for Celiac Disease or Gluten Sensitivity |
| Treatment of Celiac Disease at Mayo Clinic. Celiac disease has no cure, but it can be effectively managed by avoiding foods containing gluten (found in wheat, barley and rye). After gluten is eliminated from the diet, the small intestine begins to heal. Mayo Clinic. |
| Phase IIb Study to Study the Efficacy of AT1001 to Treat Celiac Disease. This study is currently recruiting participants. This study will look at 3 doses of AT1001 for efficacy and safety for the treatment of celiac disease. Alba Therapeutics. Posted 11-18-07. |
| Alba Therapeutics Announces Phase IIb Clinical Trial For Oral AT-1001 For The Treatment Of Celiac Disease. The multi-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose ranging study will evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of AT-1001 in CD subjects during a six-week gluten challenge, while also testing components of a Celiac Disease activity rating index. Medical News Today. 09/20/07. |
| Media Articles on Gluten Sensitivity and Celiac Disease |
| Student Spotlight. "I looked at a specific marker, CXCR3. I discovered that plasma cells were expressing this marker and showed that celiac patients had a high concentration of CXCR3-expressing plasma cells. I was interested because my mom, Bernadette, my two younger sisters, and me, we have celiac disease." The Philadelphia Inquirer. 07/06/08. |
| Jury Is Still Out on Gluten, the Latest Dietary Villain. There is no question that eating gluten aggravates celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients. But doctors say it is unclear whether gluten can be blamed for other problems. Tuscaloosa News. 05/08/07. |
| Learning to live with celiac disease. Celiac disease can show up at any age and is a lifelong autoimmune disease that requires a strict gluten-free diet as treatment, but no other medication or surgeries. The Record (Coulter Press) 11/09/06. |
| Personal Stories of Celiac Disease |
| James S: Son of Watermelon Stomach Sufferer Last year, my mother was diagnosed as a celiac. Since then a number of other problems have risen to the surface... |
| Joan Elston: Systemic Scleroderma, Sjögren's, and Fibromyalgia I am 61 years of age and live with my husband Bryan in Durban South Africa... |
| Kathy R: Localized Scleroderma I was diagnosed with Localized Scleroderma when I was six months pregnant with my son in 1965. It started at the time with blotches on my right arm... |
