COELIAC DISEASE

What is it?

If you suffer from coeliac disease, your body cannot cope with gluten, which is found in wheat. You cannot digest it, it damages the lining of the gut and it stops you from digesting other foods.

Who gets it?

You may be at risk of getting coeliac disease if someone in your family also has it.

What are the symptoms?

Coeliac disease sometimes comes on in childhood, before the age of three. Children with it become miserable and irritable, stop putting on weight and are generally under the weather. Their motions may get very big, smelly and pale and will not flush away. They may get swelling of the stomach. If you get coeliac disease for the first time as an adult, you could notice anything from diarrhoea, smelly motions and weight loss to a gradual tiredness. If you are a woman you may find your periods stop or become irregular.

When should I go to my GP?

If you think your child has stopped putting on weight, get him or her checked at the baby clinic or by your health visitor. if the check shows poor weight gain, you will want to make an appointment to talk to your GP about it. If as an adult you feel tired all the time for no obvious reason, make an appointment with your GP.

What tests will the Doctor want to do?

The doctor may start by doing some blood tests. You may need to collect all your motions for a few days to have them checked at the laboratory. You may also need to have an X-ray test which involves swallowing a small capsule on a string.

What is the short-term treatment?

You will need to stop eating gluten in your diet straight away. This means you will have to avoid anything with wheat in it, including ordinary bread, pasta, cakes, pastry and some cereals.

You must also avoid foods containing rye, oats and barley. You can got special gluten-free flour, pasta and bread on prescription from your GP. You can also apply for free prescriptions from now on.

Will I need long-term treatment?

You will need to stick to a gluten-free diet for the rest of your life. This may seem a real problem at first but your GP may be able to refer you to a dietician, who will have good ideas and tips. You can buy special cookbooks for people on gluten-free diets, and the Coeliac Society supplies leaflets.

How can I stop it getting worse?

You can get into the habit of checking the ingredients of everything you eat to make sure it contains no wheat. Even a small amount of gluten can bring your symptoms back and damage your gut, so it is very important to follow your diet closely.

Will I need regular check-ups?

Once you are on a gluten-free diet, your symptoms should settle down and you will not need to see the doctor unless you run into problems. If you get diarrhoea again which lasts more than a week or two, or lose weight suddenly, make an appointment with your GP.

Will hospital referral be needed?

Once the diagnosis has been made, you will only need to go to the hospital if your symptoms suddenly get worse again.