Isn’t it just fascinating how our bodies sometimes cannot tolerate certain foods? While some people cannot withstand lactose from dairy products, there are those who are extremely sensitive to gluten.
Gluten is a group of proteins naturally present in grains like wheat, barley, rye, and triticale. It acts like glue in dough, providing elasticity and helping foods maintain their shape. While harmless for most people, gluten can cause problems for those with celiac disease. According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, the autoimmune condition is estimated to affect one in 100 people worldwide, but only about 30% are properly diagnosed.
Interestingly, some people are born with celiac disease or are diagnosed earlier in life, as children. However, many wonder whether the condition can also occur later in life in old people.
Also Read: Celiac Disease: Know About Its Signs And Symptoms
Can You Develop Celiac Disease Later In Life?
In an interaction with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Amit Miglani, Director and HOD - Gastroenterology, Asian Hospital, Faridabad, says that celiac disease can appear at any age.
Some people may have a genetic predisposition to celiac disease, with the prevalence being one in ten if a person has a parent, child, or sibling with the condition. However, the doctor notes that symptoms of celiac disease may only appear after a person starts consuming a high-gluten diet.
Sharing two unique age windows, he says that healthcare practitioners most frequently diagnose the condition in early infancy, between eight and 12 months old, and mid-life, between 40 and 60 years old.
"Early childhood is the most likely time for symptoms of celiac disease to start showing up. It is during this time that children start having solid meals, such as gluten-containing cereals or biscuits," he adds.
Symptoms Of Celiac Disease
Celiac disease symptoms can vary among individuals, according to Dr Miglani. While some people might not notice any symptoms, others may have digestive issues, including:
- Stomach pain
- Bloating
- Gas
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Fatty stools after eating gluten
In severe cases, some people may notice signs, such as:
Iron-deficiency anaemia, which leads to feeling weak and tired, having pale skin, cold hands, brittle or spoon-shaped nails, headaches, and mouth sores.
- Unintended weight loss
- Growth delays in children
- Muscle wasting
- Dental enamel defects
- Irregular periods
- Difficulty getting pregnant
Mood changes like irritability in children and depression in adults
Dr Miglani adds, “About 15% of people with celiac disease develop dermatitis herpetiformis, a chronic skin condition causing an itchy rash that looks like clusters of bumps or blisters, usually on the elbows, knees, buttocks, or scalp.”
Is Celiac Disease Curable?
Unfortunately, celiac disease has no known cure. However, the majority of individuals find that adhering to a rigorous gluten-free diet can aid in symptom management and help the intestine heal, says the doctor.
This means that giving up gluten is the first and most crucial step in the management of celiac disease.
Dr Miglani says, “You can prevent gluten from producing that reaction, even if you cannot change how your body reacts to gluten. Your small intestine will begin to heal when you quit eating gluten, and you'll soon be able to absorb nutrients. But for the rest of your life, you have to adhere to a strict gluten-free diet to avoid harming your small intestine once more.”
Furthermore, medical care might consist of nutritional supplements to make up for any significant deficiencies, some medicines, including dapsone, to treat dermatitis herpetiformis, corticosteroids if the diet isn't having a sufficient effect on severe inflammation, and regular monitoring, including routine testing, to ensure the condition is under control, he adds.