Coeliac Disease is neither an allergy or intolerance, it is an autoimmune disease affecting the digestive system when gluten is eaten. When someone with Coeliac Disease eats gluten, the body's immune system damages its own tissues, including the lining of the intestines. Coeliac UK is a fantastic website containing lots of information, videos and resources to help you learn about what it is, how it is treated, gluten free recipes and much more.

Common symptoms and treatment of Coeliac Disease

Common symptoms of Coeliac Disease include: diarrhoea, abdominal pain, bloating, wind, indigestion, constipation, vomiting, fatigue, weight-loss, itchy rash, numbness or swelling of hands and feet. Note: sometimes there are no symptoms present. 

In children these symptoms can often be confused with other illnesses such as a stomach bug, so Coeliac UK have produced a handy self-assessment for families.

When testing for Coeliac Disease, gluten must be present in the child's diet in order to get a diagnosis, therefore it's important to continue eating gluten until advised by a health professional to stop.

If Coeliac Disease is not treated this may lead to malnutrition, as the body is not able to digest food in a normal way leading to a lack of energy and nutrients. People with Coeliac Disease must follow a strict, life-long gluten free diet as even tiny amounts can cause damage to the body.

Treatment

The only way to treat Coeliac Disease is eating a gluten free diet. Your dietitian can give you practical tips and information to help.

If you have Coeliac Disease and gluten is eaten it can cause damage to the gut lining which can cause nutritional deficiencies and long term health complications. Therefore, it is very important that you have a gluten free diet, whether you do or don't have symptoms.