Levels of Severity, Treatment and Complications

Levels of Severity
Celiac disease severity depends on the length of  bowel affected

(changes begin in the duodenum, first part of the small intestine immediately beyond the stomach and leading to the jejunum, and extend distally- situated away from the point of attachment; the proximal- situated nearer the point of attachment- bowel is more affected)

image by Wikimedia


Severe celiac disease
Megaloblastic anemia (inhibition of DNA synthesis during red blood cell production)
Neurologic disease (associated with B12 deficiency)
Infertility (inability to reproduce by natural means)
Amenorrhea (an abnormal absence of menstruation)
Osteoporosis (loss of bone density)
Hypovitaminosis D (lack of Vitamin D)
neurologic disease (B12)

Infertility
Amenorrhea
Osteoporosis
Hypovitaminosis D

Mild celiac disease

Mild iron deficiency anemia (may not cause noticeable symptoms)
Folate deficiency (low level of folic acid in the body; a type of vitamin B)
     - Subtle symptoms:  fatigue, gray hair, mouth sores, tongue swelling, growth problems.
Iron deficiency (increased need for or a decreased absorption of/ or amount taken in)

Silent celiac disease
Asymptomatic (producing or showing no symptoms), but have
   - A positive serology (blood tests that look for antibodies in your blood)
   - Abnormal biopsy (tissue or cells have an unusual structure, shape, size, or condition)

Latent celiac disease
Positive serology only

   - no abnormalities on biopsy

Treatment of celiac disease
Complete avoidance of gluten
1. avoid foods containing wheat, rye, barley, farina, kamut, triticale, spelt
2. use only rice, corn, buckwheat, potato, soybean, or tapioca flowers
3. limit or avoid all milk and lactose
4. read all labels in processed foods
5. beware of gluten in food additives, emulsifiers, starchs, and flavoring

Treatment Recommendations
1. Use a team approach with motivated members
2. Registered Dietitian
3. Local Gluten intolerance chapters, patients, stores
4. National organizations
5. Internet sites

What to monitor while treating celiac disease

1.     IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) like symptoms
2.     Anemia
3.     Failure to thrive
4.     Neurologic symptoms (brain Fog)
5.     Dermatitis manifestations  (inflammation of the skin characterized by itchiness, red skin, and a rash)

Complications of celiac disease
osteoporosis
short stature
chronic anemia
microscopic colitis (refers to two related medical conditions which cause diarrhea)
pancreatic insufficiency (inability to properly digest food due to a lack of digestive enzymes
            made by the pancreas)
lactose intolerance (decreased ability to digest lactose)

References:

(n.d.). Folate Deficiency. Retrieved November 12, 2016, from http://www.healthline.com/health/folate-deficiency

 Biopsy: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved November 14, 2016, from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003416.htm

Small intestine. (n.d.). Retrieved November 20, 2016, from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Small_intestine