Gluten Sensitive is also called Allergy to wheat, a serious disease in which intestinal allergies cause inflammation and inability to absorb food. Can’t stand wheat, millet, barley, porridge proteins. In fact, the presence of gluten in the diet results in an allergic reaction in the digestive tract, which in turn damages the immune system by allergic to the intestinal mucosa. The disease is found all over the world. According to a conservative estimate, about 1% of the population in the West is affected, but we have such a lack of information about the disease that most patients consider it to be an intestinal disease or an intestinal infection when symptoms appear. The exact number of patients is not yet known. The disease is most common in children aged eight to 12 months or older, but in most cases the symptoms appear between the ages of 40 and 50.
The symptoms of celiac disease are divided into two groups. That is, the stomach and the extra intestines. The most common gastrointestinal symptom is diarrhea, which affects about 50 to 80% of the patients. Symptoms such as convulsions may also appear. Also, 50% of patients lose weight. Infants’ developmental abilities are affected. Symptoms of other parts of the body may also appear. For example, anemia due to low absorption, osteoporosis, osteoporosis, vomiting, low blood pressure, fainting, skin diseases , Fatigue, mouth ulcers / wounds, infertility and menstrual irregularities, etc. It has been observed that the patient is advised to use gluten free diet even before the final diagnosis of the disease, although the ACG guidelines According to the report, it is better to test the patient before giving him gluten free food. Generally, genetic testing (DNA) is recommended to diagnose the disease, which is also available in Pakistan. In addition, routine blood tests such as CBC, electrolyte and S-calcium phosphate may be performed.
Because it is a hereditary disease, if one person in the household is infected, other people are more likely to be infected with celiac disease, so as a precaution, family members should get tested. Timely diagnosis can guarantee health. Genetic testing is essential for the diagnosis of HLA DQ2 and HLA DQ8, as they are positive in 95% of patients. In addition, gastroscopy and 6-duodenum biopsy are also performed in some cases. No cure has yet been found for the disease, so the only cure for this disease is to abstain from gluten-free foods for life. Patients may consume only foods that do not contain gluten. This means avoiding whole-gluten-rich foods, such as rye, wheat, and barley. In the majority of patients who do not rely on gluten-free foods, Diarrhea, anemia and weight loss are common.
The role of the nutritionist is considered to be very important in reducing the symptoms of celiac disease, because the use of gluten free diet is not so easy in our country because gluten free wheat and other products are expensive and not readily available. It should be noted that all patients who follow the instructions of their physician and do not abstain from diet in any case, their health is better, otherwise there is severe anemia in the patient’s body if abstinence or treatment is not given. ) Decreases may occur. Malnutrition hinders development, while children are more likely to bleed. Also, small bone lymphoma and prostate cancer can develop.
Prof. Dr. Pervez Ashraf