Celiac Disease

Celiac Disease is a condition that affects the small intestine, which is part of the digestive system. It happens when the body’s immune system reacts badly to a protein called gluten, found in wheat, barley, and rye. This reaction causes damage to the lining of the small intestine, making it hard for the body to absorb important nutrients from food. People with this condition may experience symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss. Over time, this can lead to problems like fatigue and anemia because the body is not getting enough vitamins and minerals. The disease can affect people of all ages and often requires lifelong management.

Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disorder characterized by an inappropriate immune response to dietary gluten peptides, primarily affecting the small intestinal mucosa. The core pathology involves villous atrophy, crypt hyperplasia, and increased intraepithelial lymphocytes, leading to malabsorption. It is strongly associated with specific HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 haplotypes, indicating a genetic predisposition. The immune response is mediated by both innate and adaptive immunity, with activation of CD4+ T cells recognizing deamidated gliadin peptides presented by antigen-presenting cells. Clinically, it presents with a spectrum ranging from classic gastrointestinal symptoms to extraintestinal manifestations such as dermatitis herpetiformis and osteoporosis. Untreated disease can result in serious complications including nutritional deficiencies and increased risk of intestinal lymphoma.