Coeliac disease is a chronic condition affecting the digestive and immune systems. It occurs when the body reacts to gluten. You must be wondering what gluten is. It is a protein in barley, wheat, and rye. Gluten triggers an inflammation in the small intestine. It then damages the villi, the finger-like projections that help absorb food nutrients. This may cause various symptoms and complications, such as diarrhoea, bloating, weight loss, anaemia, osteoporosis, skin rashes and neurological problems. Coeliac disease is not curable, but you can manage it with a strict gluten-free diet and proper coeliac disease treatments.
Coeliac Disease Treatment
Here are some common coeliac disease treatments
- The best way to handle coeliac disease is by always eating foods without gluten. That means saying no to anything with wheat, barley, rye, and some oats. Refrain bread, pasta, cereals, cakes, cookies, and certain sauces. You can easily find gluten-free alternatives in the market.
- Sometimes, people with coeliac disease might have to take extra vitamins and minerals like iron, calcium, folic acid, and vitamin D. That is because malabsorption can lead to shortages of these nutrients, which can harm your health differently. Taking these supplements can return these levels to normal and stop or treat issues like anaemia and weak bones.
- Some people need medication for specific symptoms or complications. For example, anti-diarrhoeal drugs can help control diarrhoea. If you are dealing with gut pain and swelling, use anti-inflammatory drugs. Similarly, corticosteroids can help treat severe inflammation or skin rashes. However, use these medicines only under medical supervision.
- Some people follow a lactose-free diet or take lactase enzyme supplements. Lactose intolerance can develop due to damage to the gut lining. Lactose is a sugar found in milk and dairy products, which requires lactase enzymes to digest. Lactose intolerance results in abdominal pain, bloating, gas and diarrhoea.