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Coeliac Disease

Coeliac Disease is a condition in which the lining of the small intestine becomes damaged when it is exposed to even small amounts of gluten, which is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye and possibly oats. As a result, affected patients absorb food and nutrients poorly. This can result in bowel symptoms and deficiencies of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.

THE GLUTEN FREE DIET
Should always be undertaken with medical supervision.

If Coeliac Disease is suspected, a gluten-free diet should never be started until the condition has been properly diagnosed. Otherwise, this will interfere with establishing the correct diagnosis. The gluten-free diet should always be undertaken with medical supervision.

Coeliac Disease is successfully treated by avoiding eating all foods containing gluten. This is called a "gluten-free-diet". Following a gluten-free diet after the diagnosis of coeliac disease should allow an improvement in symptoms and restoration of health.

Facts About Coeliac Disease
Fourth Edition 2007

Contents

• What is Coeliac Disease?
• How common is Coeliac Disease?
• Does it run in families?
• What should I do if I think I have Coeliac Disease?
• What should I do if someone in my family has Coeliac Disease?
• How is Coeliac Disease diagnosed?
• What is the treatment if I have Coeliac Disease?
• The Gluten Free Diet
• Foods to Avoid
• Foods to Include
• State Coeliac Societies

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Facts About Coeliac Disease is now available as an A4 size pdf file.
Coeliac Disease (Adobe Acrobat PDF 824K)