Posts Tagged ‘gluten-sensitive enteropathy’
Coeliac Disease
Thursday, July 30th, 2009
DESCRIPTION
Also called non-tropical sprue, gluten-sensitive enteropathy or celiac sprue, celiac disease is an allergic response to gluten (a protein found primarily in wheat, barley and rye grains) and its smaller derivative, gliadin, which damages the small intestine resulting in diarrhoea, weight loss and multiple vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Symptoms typically appear either during the first 3 years of life when cereals are introduced into the diet, or during the third decade of life. In adults, symptoms may develop gradually over months or even years.