| As the disease becomes more commonly | | | | Once this disease is diagnosed, it is important to |
| diagnosed, answering the question, "What is celiac | | | | adhere to a gluten free diet. Avoiding gluten will |
| disease?" is increasingly important. Celiac disease | | | | alleviate the symptoms previously discussed. This |
| or gluten intolerance is the inability of the body to | | | | is a very difficult and deliberate lifestyle as gluten |
| digest the protein gluten. Gluten acts as a binding | | | | is the secret binding ingredient for a number of |
| agent and is most commonly used in baking. This | | | | processed foods. Because more people are |
| protein is found in oat, barley, wheat, and rye and | | | | asking, "What is celiac disease and how does it |
| is poisonous to celiac sufferers. The symptoms | | | | affect my life?" There is a greater awareness |
| include unexplained weight loss, malnutrition, | | | | and we are beginning to see more gluten free |
| nutrient loss, and diarrhea. Physically, there can be | | | | foods that are tasty and clearly labeled in local |
| issues with skin irritation and upset stomach when | | | | groceries. Restaurants are advertising that they |
| gluten is consumed regularly. | | | | have gluten free menu items and companies are |
| People of European decent are most affected by | | | | opening facilities that only produce gluten free |
| this disease, but there are a small number of | | | | products. |
| other nationalities that have been diagnosed. | | | | Studies are still being conducted to solve the |
| There are two procedures most commonly used | | | | unanswered questions about celiac disease. |
| to diagnose celiac disease. The first is a blood test | | | | Currently, modifying the diet is the only effective |
| that will test for the antibodies that are only | | | | treatment, but hopefully, the future will offer |
| present in celiac sufferers. The second method is | | | | more. |
| a biopsy of the intestine again for the antibodies. | | | | |