Facts About Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity
Commonly found in everyday ingredients, including wheat, barley, rye, noodles, cereal, and bread, gluten is often a recurring part of a person's diet. However, for adults, teens, or children with celiac disease, ingesting gluten can lead to harmful medical problems. The one effective treatment for gluten sensitivity is the elimination of gluten from your diet. When you believe you may be suffering from celiac disease, talk to a gastrointestinal (GI) specialist at Illinois Gastroenterology Group to detect and manage your gluten sensitivity. Our Chicago, IL professionals will help you learn about your new condition and show you how to adjust your lifestyle and nutrition appropriately.
Important things to know about celiac disease
Characterized as an inflammatory condition, celiac disease is a disorder that leads to damage of the small intestines when gluten is ingested. Patients could have celiac disease at any stage of life. Researchers estimate that around two million U.S. citizens are suffering from celiac disease and that almost two-thirds of them are undiagnosed or incorrectly diagnosed. If disregarded, gluten sensitivity may result in major health complications.
Some symptoms of celiac disease
A patient with celiac disease could experience one or more of these issues after consuming gluten:
- Pain, tingling, or numbness in the feet
- Rashes
- Tooth decay
- Difficulty while making bowel movements
- Abdominal bloating
- Loose bowel movements
- Fainting spells
- Acid reflux
When you or your loved one are enduring these common celiac disease symptoms, contact our Chicago, IL office to schedule a visit with a GI specialist. Receiving top-quality attention could help improve your general wellness and your intestinal health.
How is celiac disease detected?
A gastrointestinal specialist will diagnose celiac disease. Your GI specialist could provide one or both of the following gluten sensitivity diagnostics to verify or eliminate the symptoms of this disease:
- An HLA genetic test locates the HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 genes and can be used to rule out celiac disease when neither is present.
- Through a blood panel, a tissue transglutaminase (tTG)-IgA test can identify celiac disease in patients.
The second step in diagnosing celiac disease is to perform an upper endoscopy. To complete this diagnostic procedure, your GI physician will assess your small intestine for any irregularities by inserting a scope with a camera through your mouth. An upper endoscopy is usually a quick procedure and can be offered as an outpatient option at Illinois Gastroenterology Group.
Treating celiac disease
While celiac disease is a chronic condition, it can be taken care of by developing a diet centered around gluten-free foods. For most people with celiac disease, adopting a gluten-free diet may alleviate problems or even encourage the healing of the small intestine. Adults and kids who have the disorder and stick to gluten-free eating habits often notice improvements to their gastrointestinal system within several weeks. Removing gluten from your diet may prove to be hard initially, but with the guidance of a registered dietitian and gastrointestinal specialist at Illinois Gastroenterology Group, patients in Chicago, IL with celiac disease can adapt their eating habits and experience healthy lives.
Get in touch with our Chicago, IL team if you think you might have celiac disease
Celiac disease might harm your total wellness, as well as interfere with your way of life. To hear more regarding celiac disease and how you can care for this GI condition, we encourage you to get in touch with Illinois Gastroenterology Group. Reach out to our team in Chicago, IL to learn more about your options if celiac disease is impacting your life.