Celiac Sprue:
An Inherited Disorder
Celiac Sprue (or more commonly known as celiac disease) is usually an inherited disorder. It most commonly occurs in young children from the ages of one to five or as early as your child starts to eat solid foods. As the child ages, symptoms of poor appetite, moodiness, poor growth, abdominal pain and lethargy seem to come and go through young adulthood. As you reach adulthood, general fatigue, chronic diarrhea and extreme breathlessness are prevalent. This makes it very difficult for a doctor to diagnose as most chronic conditions start with these symptoms. What Is Celiac Sprue- Celiac DiseaseThis condition, which affects the small intestinal wall, results in a gradual decay and wearing down of the hair-like projections known as villi. The villi are damaged by the protein gliadin which is found in all gluten containing grains such as wheat, barley, rye and very often oats (oats do not contain gluten but because of cross-contamination in our current processing methods from the field to the mill, oats very often do get contaminated). The villi are responsible for capturing and releasing all of the vitamins and minerals in the food we eat as it passes through the intestinal lining. With the continuous destruction of the villi, which results in poor absorption of nutrients, eventually your body will start to show signs of malnutrition. The onset of celiac disease is so gradual it is difficult for both the individual and the doctor to realize there is a problem. Eventually though, the individual will notice there is a "wasting away" feeling in the limbs, your muscles grow tender and weak. Your general complexion will turn a pale white. The eventual onset of sudden diarrhea will become a real and constant problem. With the eventual diagnosis, and with the removal of all gluten products from your diet, you will start the road to recovery usually within 6-10 days. Full recovery though is very slow and may take many months to even years. A general feeling of weakness seems to hang on in your limbs for a very long time. How To Regulate The DiseaseDiagnosis is first and foremost the most important step in regulation of this condition. That is why it is repeatedly stressed you must get a doctor's opinion.With your doctor's confirmation of diagnosis, now it is just as important for you to start eliminating all sources of gluten from your diet. This will stop the further degradation of your intestinal wall and start you back on the road to recovery. Fitting Gluten-Free Into Your DietThe easiest method is get in the habit of eating natural foods like fruits, vegetables, and farm-raised meats. Because grains is the major source of glutens, all products which come from wheat, barley and rye are forever off-limits. In today's marketplace though, many gluten-free flours and starches are pre-packaged and ready for sale for the gluten free diet.Remember though, Once a Celiac- Always a Celiac. There is no remission with this disease. Celiac Sprue, or celiac disease is a life long condition.
Return to "Gluten Free Diet" from "Celiac Sprue".
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This site is not intended to replace the advice and supervision of your professional medical treatment plan. Although all of the information is true and accurate to the best of our knowledge, we still recommend you carefully check all food labels before consuming any food product. We can not assume any legal responsibility for any illness obtained while following the advice contained on this site.
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