Celiac Disease

By Hunter Brode '18

There are more people in America with Celiac Disease than all of the population of Nevada. Celiac Disease is a disease that is more commonly known as the inability to digest gluten based products. Gluten is a protein that is known for its presence in wheat, but is also found in oats, rye, and barley.

It is a disease that attacks the small intestine when gluten products are consumed and later digested. These attacks result in damage to villi, small finger like structures that line the small intestine. Villi are essential to our body, for they promote nutrient absorption. As you can imagine, it is not easy to completely avoid gluten, as accidents occur. Reactions to consumption can vary, but some of the more common ones are vomiting, fatigue, weight loss, delayed growth, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). There is no known cure for celiac disease, and the only way to treat the sickness is a strict gluten-free diet. Furthermore, this disease can be acquired at any age, and can be a surprising acquisition.

Recent studies have been exposing shocking discoveries behind celiac disease. At Least 3 million people in America have celiac disease, but ~97% of them are undiagnosed. Many Americans are hurting themselves with the digestion of gluten products, and have no idea. The acquisition of this disease can come from multiple roots, but the most common sources are genetic disposition, external triggers, and unhealthy diets. Genetic disposition is another way to refer to being born with certain genes. These genes are the DR3, DRQ and DQ8 genes, which have been seen to lead to the development of celiac disease. External triggers are still hard to identify, but some that are believed to cause problems are pregnancy, antibiotics, and illness.

I myself was born with this disease. I was diagnosed when I was almost two years old, and ever since have not been able to eat gluten products. Personally, it has been an amazing experience, and I see it as a part of me. I am a part of a small community that makes up 1% of America with celiac disease. This disease is very new, and is scary, having the potential to lead to many dangerous diagnoses in the future.

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