Celiac Disease is caused by an intolerance to a protein called gluten. Gluten is found in wheat, rye and barley which are used to make bread, cakes etc.
What happens to people with the disease is that the immune system attacks gluten thinking it to be harmful. This in turn damages the lining of the intestines (gut) so that it is unable to absorp food properly. This leads to the symptoms such as diarrhoea, weight loss, fatigue, abdominal bloating and pain. The only effective treatment is for the individual to have a gluten-free diet for life. If left untreated it can lead to several different complications.
Anyone, at any age, can develop celiac disease but it is more common in people between the ages of 40 and 50.
A celiac disease sufferer will need to buy gluten-free products and always check food labels to see if they contain the protein.
