What is Coeliac Disease?

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disease, where the bodies defence mechanism becomes overactive and attacks the cells and tissue in the body.

A sufferer’s small intestine is damaged by the disease, which destroys the tiny, strand like hairs, called villi, which line the intestines. The villi normally allows the body to absorb nutrients from food and transfers them into the bloodstream. Without this villi in the body, no matter how much food the person eats they will become malnourished.

As a result sufferers of the disease develop intolerance to the protein Gluten. When they eat this protein, it triggers an immune reaction that can make them ill.

Gluten can be found mostly in food but can also be found in other products such as medicines, vitamins and even lip balm.

What are the Symptoms?

Symptoms of the disease vary greatly and can range from very mild to severe. The symptoms are not just found in the digestive system and can affect other parts of the body.