Monday, December 6, 2010

"Celiac Disease"

Celiac Disease-Is an autoimmune disorder of the small intestine that occurs in genetically predisposed people of all ages from middle infancy onward.Symptoms include chronic diarrhoea,failure to thrive(in children),and fatigue,but these may be absent,and symptoms in other organ systems have been described.A growing portion of diagnosis are being made in asymptomatic persons as a result of increased screening,[2]and is thought to affect between 1 in 1,750 to 1 in 105 people in the United States.[3]Coeliac disease is caused by a reaction to gliadin,a prolamin(gluten protein)found in wheat,and similar proteins found in the crops of the tribe Triticeae(which includes other common grains such as barley and rye).Upon exposure to gliadin,and specifically to three peptides found in proclaims,[4]the enzyme tissue transglutaminase modifies the protein,and the immune system cross-reacts with the small intestine(called villous atrophy).This interferes with the absorption of nutrients,because the intestinal villi are responsible for absorption.The only known effective treatment is a lifelomg gluten-free diet.[5]While the disease is caused by a reaction to wheat proteins,it is not the same as wheat allergy.