Celiac Disease

Definition

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder in which the ingestion of gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, triggers an immune response that damages the small intestine. This condition affects the body's ability to properly absorb nutrients from food, leading to a range of gastrointestinal and other health issues.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder, meaning the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy tissues.
2. The only effective treatment for celiac disease is a strict, lifelong gluten-free diet, which allows the small intestine to heal and restore proper nutrient absorption.
3. Untreated celiac disease can lead to serious complications, such as malnutrition, osteoporosis, anemia, and an increased risk of certain cancers.
4. Celiac disease can present with a wide range of symptoms, including abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss.
5. Celiac disease is more common in individuals with other autoimmune disorders, such as type 1 diabetes, thyroid disease, and Sjögren's syndrome.

Review Questions

• Explain the role of the small and large intestines in the development and management of celiac disease.
  • The small intestine is the primary site affected in celiac disease. When individuals with this condition consume gluten, their immune system mistakenly attacks the villi, the finger-like projections lining the small intestine that are responsible for nutrient absorption. This leads to villous atrophy and malabsorption of essential nutrients. To manage celiac disease, individuals must adhere to a strict gluten-free diet, which allows the small intestine to heal and restore its normal absorptive function. The large intestine is not directly affected by celiac disease, but it may experience secondary effects, such as changes in gut microbiome and altered bowel movements, due to the malabsorption occurring in the small intestine.
• Describe the relationship between celiac disease and the immune system, and explain how this relationship impacts the management of the condition.
  • Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder, meaning the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy tissues, specifically the villi lining the small intestine. When individuals with celiac disease consume gluten, it triggers an abnormal immune response, leading to inflammation and damage to the small intestine. This immune-mediated response is central to the development and progression of celiac disease. The only effective management of celiac disease is a strict, lifelong gluten-free diet, which removes the trigger for the immune system's attack and allows the small intestine to heal. By eliminating gluten from the diet, individuals with celiac disease can prevent further damage to the small intestine and restore proper nutrient absorption, effectively managing the condition and reducing the risk of associated complications.
• Analyze the potential long-term consequences of untreated celiac disease and explain how they relate to the structure and function of the small and large intestines.
  • If left untreated, celiac disease can lead to a range of serious long-term consequences that are directly related to the structure and function of the small and large intestines. The ongoing damage to the villi in the small intestine caused by the immune system's attack on gluten can result in malabsorption of essential nutrients, leading to conditions such as malnutrition, anemia, osteoporosis, and an increased risk of certain cancers. Additionally, the disruption of the small intestine's normal absorptive function can have secondary effects on the large intestine, such as changes in gut microbiome and altered bowel movements. Over time, these long-term consequences of untreated celiac disease can significantly impair the overall health and well-being of the individual. Strict adherence to a gluten-free diet is crucial to manage celiac disease, as it allows the small intestine to heal and restore its normal absorptive capacity, thereby preventing these serious complications.

Related terms

Gluten: A protein found in wheat, barley, and rye that triggers an immune response in individuals with celiac disease.

Malabsorption:

The impaired ability of the small intestine to properly absorb nutrients from food, a common consequence of untreated celiac disease.

Villous Atrophy: The flattening or destruction of the finger-like projections (villi) lining the small intestine, which are responsible for nutrient absorption.