Celiac disease is a genetic disorder that affects Australians of all ages. Coeliac disease causes sufferers to have gluten intolerance, meaning they are unable to eat foods that contain gluten, found in wheat and other grains. Gluten sets off an autoimmune reaction causing the destruction of the villi in the small intestine. Sufferers produce antibodies that attack the intestine. This attack causes damage to the intestine, which results in illness. Celiac disease (CD) is also referred to as gluten sensitive enteropathy (GSE), gluten intolerance, or celiac sprue. It is considered to be the most under-diagnosed common disease today, affecting 1in every 170 to 250 people in the USA.

It is a chronic, inherited disease, and if untreated can ultimately lead to malnutrition. Gluten intolerance is the result of an autoimmune system response to the ingestion of gluten (from wheat, rye, and barley) that damages the small intestine. Nutrients then quickly passed through the small intestine, rather than being absorbed. To develop celiac disease (CD) three (3) things must be present: 1) you must inherit the gene, 2) consume gluten, and 3) have the gene triggered. Common triggers include stress, trauma (surgeries, pregnancy, etc.), and viral infections. Approximately 10% of first-degree relatives could have CD triggered in their lifetime. The disease is permanent and damage to the small intestine will occur every time you consume gluten, regardless of whether the symptoms are present.

Celiac Disease Related Disorders Dermatitis Herpetiformis is also present in some people with celiac disease. Other autoimmune disorders that people with CD are at greater risk to develop include Addison' s disease, autoimmune chronic active hepatitis, Alopecia Areata, Graves' disease, insulin-dependent Diabetes Mellitus (type 1), Myasthenia Gravis, Scleroderma, Sjogren's Syndrome, Lupus, and Thyroid disease. Thyroid diseases and diabetes are the two most commonly associated diseases found with Celiac disease. Thyroid disease is most commonly associated with DH.

Other conditions frequently seen in persons with gluten intolerance include anemia, early bone disease, Downs Syndrome, and fertility problems. Some people with DH also have a higher incidence of other skin conditions, such as eczema. While other connections have been suggested - such as with autism, MS, and mycosis fungoides, the research is either inconclusive, suggests a weak connection or offers no substantial connection. As knowledge of gluten intolerance diseases expands and new findings become available, you can expect that the list of associated health problems and conditions will also change.