What is celiac disease?
Celiac disease, also known as celiac sprue or nontropical sprue, is a disorder that affects about 1 out of every 133 Americans and 1 out of every 200 Canadians. Typically, the disorder becomes apparent when a young child starts eating foods containing wheat, rye, barley, and other cereal grains. The problem is caused by gliadin, one of the proteins collectively known as gluten, found in these grains. Gliadin combines with antibodies in the digestive tract to damage the walls of the small intestine and interfere with the absorption of many nutrients, especially fats and certain starches and sugars.
Children with the disease are usually plagued with such symptoms as stomach upsets, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, bloating, mouth sores, and an increased susceptibility to infection.
