Is Celiac Disease Progressive & Alternative Treatments for It

Celiac disease is a type of severe autoimmune disease and it takes place in genetically predisposed people. Accordingly, the gluten ingestion results in severe damage in small intestinal areas. Whenever celiac disease patients have gluten i.e. an elastic type of protein found in barley, rye, and wheat, their body develops an immune response to attack their own small intestines.

These attacks result in severe damage to the villi i.e. small finger-shaped projections responsible to line the small intestine and to promote the absorption of essential nutrients. Whenever the villi suffer damage, nutrients fail to absorb in the body properly. Celiac disease is a type of hereditary problem and hence it runs among family members. Especially, when individuals have their first-degree relatives as suffering from celiac disease, like for instance child, parent or sibling, they have 1 of 10 risks to develop celiac disease.⁽¹⁾

Now, the question that comes in our mind is whether the celiac disease is a progressive one or not. The answer is yes if you do not take proper care and treatment, your symptoms become worse and in turn, you experience several other complications in the later phase of your life. These may include:

Malnutrition: When your intestine fails to absorb nutrients in adequate amounts, you may suffer from malnutrition, which further leads to unusual weight loss and anemia. On the other side, malnutrition in your children results in short stature and slow growth.

Weak Bones: Malabsorption of vitamin D and calcium leads to rickets or softening of bones in children. Also, adults experience the problem of bone density loss severely.

Miscarriage And Infertility: Malabsorption of vitamin D and calcium may contribute to various reproductive problems resulting in miscarriage and infertility.

Intolerance To Lactose: Damage caused to your small intestine may result in diarrhea and abdominal pain after drinking or eating any dairy product that contains lactose.

Cancer: Celiac disease patients fail to follow a gluten-free diet have a relatively higher risk related to developing cancer of different forms. These include small bowel cancer and intestinal lymphoma.

Seizures and Peripheral Neuropathy: A few people suffering from celiac disease develop seizures and peripheral neuropathy problems.⁽²⁾

One of the best ways to treat celiac disease without medication is to follow an appropriate diet plan. for this, you should:

Analyze the Gluten-Free Grains To Follow A Proper Gluten-Free Diet Plan: A strict gluten-free diet for lifelong is the single way to manage your conditions related to celiac disease. Thus, along with wheat, you should avoid other food items, which contain gluten i.e.-

• Bulgur
• Barley
• Durum
• Farina
• Malt
• Graham flour
• Semolina
• Rye
• Triticale
• Spelt i.e. a specific type of wheat

Grains To Include In The Diet: On the other side, you should include the following grains in your gluten-free diet.

• Corn
• Amaranth
• Cornmeal
• Buckwheat
• The pure form of corn tortillas
• Rice
• Quinoa
• Wild rice
• Tapioca
• Varieties of gluten-free flours, like soy, corn, beans, and potatoes

We know that celiac disease makes an individual weak. Thus, to give him/her enough strength, doctors recommend having a few other items in the daily diet, which are-

• Fresh poultry items, fishes and meats, especially the ones, which are not marinated, coated with batter or breaded
• Eggs
• Lentils
• Fruits
• Veggies
• Nuts
• Potatoes
• Most of the dairy products
• Distilled liquors and wine, along with spirits and ciders

Whether your child or you have severe nutritional deficiencies or anemia problem, your nutritionist and doctor recommend you a few additional supplements-

• Iron
• Copper
• Vitamin D
• Folate
• Vitamin B-12
• Vitamin K and
• Zinc

In most of the cases, doctors prescribe you vitamin and mineral supplements to take in the form of pills. However, if your digestive tract fails difficult to absorb vitamins, your doctor may give the necessary injections.⁽³⁾

References:

Also Read:

• Celiac Disease: Causes, Risk Factors, Signs, Symptoms, Investigations, Treatment
• Difference Between Celiac Disease & Gluten Intolerance
• Can Celiac Disease Go Away On Its Own & What Are It’s Natural Remedies?
• What Is The Prognosis For Celiac Disease?
• Can You Die From Celiac Disease & Is It A Disability?
• How Dangerous Is Celiac Disease & Is It Contagious?
• Best Exercises/Activities For Celiac Disease