What is Celiac Disease? About Symptoms, Treatment and Testing

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease caused by the inability to digest a protein called gluten in the intestines. Gluten causes damage to the intestines in people with this disease and antibodies are produced in the body. These antibodies destroy cells in the intestines and the absorption of nutrients becomes difficult. Celiac disease is often inherited and the risk is higher if there is a family history of the disease. It can last a lifetime and symptoms persist as long as gluten-containing foods are consumed.

What is Celiac Disease?

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that causes damage to the intestines as a result of consuming a protein called gluten. It can last a lifetime and symptoms persist as long as gluten-containing foods are consumed. Celiac disease is usually inherited and the risk is higher if there is a family history of the disease.

Causes of Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is caused by a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors. The exact cause of this disease is not known, but it is known that a protein called gluten causes damage to the intestines. Gluten causes damage to the intestines in people with this disease and antibodies are produced in the body. These antibodies destroy the cells in the intestines and the absorption of nutrients becomes difficult.

Symptoms of Celiac Disease

Symptoms of celiac disease can vary from person to person and can include many symptoms related to the digestive system. These symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, weight loss, fatigue, anemia, skin rashes, headaches, irritability, and depression. These symptoms persist as long as gluten-containing foods are consumed and usually resolve quickly when gluten is stopped. Celiac disease can cause growth and developmental delays, especially in children, so early diagnosis and treatment are important.

Symptoms of Celiac Disease in Children

Celiac disease is a digestive system disorder caused by hypersensitivity to a protein in the intestines called gluten. This disease usually starts in childhood and can last a lifetime. Symptoms of celiac disease may differ in children from other age groups. Here are the symptoms of celiac disease in children:

• Abdominal pain and bloating
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Weight loss or insufficient weight gain
• Fatigue and weakness
• Difficulty concentrating and behavioral changes
• Skin rashes
• Bone pain or weak bones
• Dental caries

Symptoms of celiac disease in children usually appear gradually and can worsen over time. Therefore, if your child has at least one of these symptoms, it is advisable to consult a doctor.

Celiac Disease in Infants

Celiac disease can also occur in infants. Symptoms of celiac disease in babies usually appear when they are transitioning to solid foods. Symptoms of celiac disease in babies may include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Inadequate weight gain or weight loss
• Restlessness
• Loss of appetite
• Skin rashes
• Anemia (low blood count)

Symptoms of celiac disease in babies are similar to those of other digestive disorders. Therefore, you may need to consult a doctor and change your baby’s diet.

How Is Celiac Disease Diagnosed?

Celiac disease can be diagnosed using blood tests, tissue samples, and other tests. However, to make a diagnosis, you must first be aware of the symptoms of celiac disease.

Tests used to diagnose celiac disease may include the following:

• Blood tests: These tests measure antibodies to gluten in your blood. High antibody levels may indicate celiac disease.
• Tissue samples: In these tests, a sample is taken from the small intestine and examined under a microscope. This test shows whether there is damage or inflammation in the small intestine.
• Genetic tests: These tests determine whether you carry genes that predispose you to celiac disease.

To be diagnosed with celiac disease, you must first consult a doctor and have the necessary tests done. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent the progression of celiac disease and improve your quality of life.

How Is Celiac Disease Treated?

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease caused by the harmful digestion of a protein called gluten in the body. In this disease, structures called villi in the small intestine are damaged and the absorption of nutrients is impaired. For this reason, people with celiac disease should avoid foods containing gluten.

Celiac disease can be treated by completely avoiding gluten-containing foods. This requires a lifelong dietary change. People with celiac disease should read food labels carefully and have the knowledge to identify foods that contain gluten. They should also talk to the waiter before eating in restaurants and choose gluten-free dishes.

What Should People With Celiac Disease Eat?

Celiac patients should eat a diet that avoids foods containing gluten. Therefore, it is very important that they follow a gluten-free diet regularly. Gluten-free diets should include natural foods such as rice, corn, potatoes, quinoa, oats, beans, lentils, fresh fruits, and vegetables.

People with celiac disease should make sure that their gluten-free diet includes foods rich in protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. This includes healthy foods such as meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, nuts, seeds, vegetables, and fruits.

Is Celiac Disease Contagious?

Celiac disease is a genetic disease and is not contagious. The disease can occur in several people in a family, but this does not mean that the disease is contagious. The cause of the disease is the harmful digestion of a protein called gluten in the body. Therefore, people with celiac disease can keep the symptoms of the disease under control by avoiding foods containing gluten. Also, families of people with celiac disease should be aware that the disease is genetic and that a doctor should be consulted if symptoms appear.

How To Test For Celiac Disease?

Celiac disease is an intestinal disorder, also known as gluten intolerance. In this disease, the intestines are sensitive to a protein called gluten and damage to the intestines occurs when this protein is consumed. A celiac test is required to diagnose celiac disease. So, how is the celiac test done?

Celiac testing can be done with methods such as blood tests and intestinal biopsies. The blood test is done to detect antibodies that cause celiac disease. These antibodies are produced in the presence of gluten in the intestines and pass into the bloodstream. The blood test detects the presence or absence of antibodies and diagnoses celiac disease.

An intestinal biopsy is performed for the definitive diagnosis of celiac disease. In this method, a device called endoscopy is used to enter the intestines, and samples of intestinal tissue are taken. These samples are examined under a microscope to detect damage to the intestines caused by gluten.

Once celiac disease is diagnosed, the treatment process begins. Treatment starts with avoiding gluten-containing foods, and with the support of a dietitian, a gluten-free diet is adopted. In this way, the damage to the intestines heals and celiac disease is brought under control.

Finally, methods such as blood tests and intestinal biopsies are used to diagnose celiac disease. Thanks to these tests, the disease is diagnosed and treatment is initiated. Avoiding foods containing gluten plays an important role in controlling the celiac disease.

Celiac Treatment Prices in Türkiye

As with many other diseases, hospitals, and doctors in Türkiye have achieved outstanding results in the treatment of celiac disease. Patients returning home from Türkiye healthy and happy have become a beacon of hope for other patients.

• Outstanding success in the treatment of celiac disease in Türkiye.
• Large, clean, spacious, and fully equipped hospitals.
• Doctors are experts and successful in their field, nurses are caring and friendly.
• Finding fast and accurate answers to questions and curiosities.
• The friendliness and helpfulness of all the staff, including the intermediary company dealing with the patient.
• Vacation opportunities among Türkiye’s natural and historical beauties.
• The fact that expenses such as treatment, diagnosis, accommodation, eating, drinking, dressing, vacation, and travel are covered at affordable prices explains the reasons why Türkiye is preferred for treatment.

Celiac Treatment Prices in Türkiye are often wondered about by patients and their relatives. However, it would not be correct to give clear price information at this stage. Because many factors such as the type of the disease, stage, diagnostic process, treatment process, and duration of stay in Türkiye create changes in price. If you want to get detailed information about the price and treatment of the disease, you can contact us. In addition, if you come to Türkiye for treatment through us, we can facilitate your visa procedures with the invitation letter sent by us to the consulate.