Celiac disease

Characteristics Celiac disease (other names: primary malabsorption syndrome, gluten enteropathy, idiopathic steatorrhea, netropic sprue, Herter-Heubner disease, intestinal infantilism) is a systemic disease in genetically predisposed people mediated by immune responses caused by persistent intolerance to systemic intolerance of wheat and similar prolamins of rye and barley. It mainly affects the small intestine. The cause is an abnormal activation of the body's own immune system, which causes damage to the small intestine when it detects the presence of gluten. As in the case of allergies to certain substances, the body produces antibodies against them because it mistakenly considers them harmful, so in the presence of gluten in the diet, the body produces antibodies against gluten.

The disease can develop at any age, more in women than in men. Estimates of the incidence of this disease range from 1: 3,000 to 1: 100. In Europe, the occurrence, resp. diagnosis is growing from south to north. It is believed that a large proportion of people with celiac disease are unaware of this disorder. Genetic predisposition is also a common cause of this disease.
Various scientific studies are currently underway to cure it, but this is not yet possible. The only effective treatment is a continuous and consistent adherence to a gluten-free diet.