Celiac disease damages the small intestine and interferes with nutrient absorption. Treatment is important because people with celiac disease could develop complications like cancer, osteoporosis, anemia, and seizures. A person with celiac disease may or may not have symptoms. Diagnosis involves blood tests and biopsy. Because celiac disease is hereditary, family members of a person with celiac disease may need to be tested.
Celiac disease is treated by eliminating all gluten from the diet.
The gluten-free diet is a lifetime requirement. Established in 1980, the clearinghouse provides information about digestive diseases to people with digestive disorders and to their families, health care professionals, and the public. Publications produced by the clearinghouse are reviewed carefully for scientific accuracy, content, and readability. This e-text is not copyrighted. The clearinghouse encourages users of this e-pub to duplicate and distribute as many copies as desired.