What is Coeliac disease?
Coeliac disease, also known as celiac disease, is a common bowel condition that is caused by intolerance to a protein called gluten. Gluten is found in wheat, rye and barley, which are often used to make foods such as bread, pasta and biscuits.
Coeliac disease affects approximately one in 100 people in the UK. However, some people with the condition may have few or no symptoms. Many people may also have the condition but be unaware of it. Anyone can develop Coeliac disease at any age, including babies and children, although it is most common among people aged 40 to 50.
Coeliac Disease & Lactose Intolerance
If you have Coeliac disease, you are more likely to also develop lactose intolerance as the damage to your digestive system caused by gluten may also make it difficult for you to digest lactose. This discomfort can be avoided by consuming Lactofree – full dairy without the lactose.
Symptoms of Coeliac disease
The symptoms of coeliac disease vary from person to person and the condition affects babies and children differently to the way in which it affects adults. Some people who have Coeliac disease may also never develop symptoms.
Symptoms of Coeliac disease in babies (which appear after consuming gluten)
• Bulky and pale stools (faeces)
• Smelly diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• A swollen stomach
• Failure to grow and gain weight
Symptoms of Coeliac disease in children
• Poor growth
• Pale, smelly, oily stools (faeces) that may be difficult to flush away
• Diarrhoea
• Anaemia (tiredness, breathlessness and an irregular heartbeat, caused by a lack of iron in the blood)
Symptoms of Coeliac disease in adults
• Stomach pain (which may come and go)
• Excess flatulence (breaking wind)
• Feeling bloated
• Diarrhoea
• Tiredness or weakness
• Mouth ulcers
• Weight loss
• Anaemia (tiredness, breathlessness and an irregular heartbeat, caused by a lack of iron in the blood)
Causes of Coeliac disease
The exact cause of coeliac disease is unknown. However, the condition can be inherited, or triggered by other conditions such as diabetes and an under-active thyroid (hypothyroidism). It also thought to be brought on by severe stress or trauma and after injury, surgery or pregnancy. Although it is linked to certain foods, coeliac disease is not a food allergy. It is an auto-immune condition, which means that it occurs as a result of the body’s immune system attacking gluten in the digestive system.
For more information on Coeliac’s disease visit Coeliac UK.