Celiac Disease Treatment in Indore

Celiac Disease is a chronic autoimmune disorder in which the immune system reacts abnormally to gluten, a protein found in:

• Wheat

• Barley

• Rye

Some oats are due to contamination.

When a person with celiac disease eats gluten, their immune system attacks the small intestine, causing damage to the intestinal villi—the tiny structures that absorb nutrients.

This leads to malabsorption, nutritional deficiencies, digestive problems, and several systemic complications.

It is a lifelong condition.

How Celiac Disease Occurs (Mechanism)

A person consumes gluten.

The immune system incorrectly identifies gluten as bad.

Immune cells attack the lining of the intestines.

Nutrient-absorbing structures, villi, become flattened or destroyed.

Nutrients such as iron, calcium, folate, and vitamins are not absorbed properly.

This results in digestive symptoms and problems in many other parts of the body.

Causes & Risk Factors

1. Genetic Factors

Celiac disease is strongly associated with:

HLA-DQ2 and

HLA-DQ8 genes

If a first-degree family member has celiac, you are at a higher risk.

2. Autoimmune Disorders

Risk increases with:

Type 1 diabetes

Thyroid disorders

Rheumatoid arthritis

Down syndrome or Turner syndrome

3. Environmental Triggers

Early gluten exposure

Gastrointestinal Infections

Stress or surgery (rarely triggers the onset)

Symptoms of Celiac Disease

Symptoms vary widely. Some people have digestive problems, others have non-digestive symptoms.

Digestive Symptoms

Chronic diarrhoea or constipation

Bloating, gas

Abdominal pain

Nausea, vomiting

Greasy, clay-coloured, foul-smelling stools - steatorrhoea

Nutritional Deficiency Symptoms

Because the nutrients are poorly absorbed:

Iron-deficiency anemia

Weight Reduction

Fatigue

Weakness

Bone aches or osteoporosis (lack of calcium & vitamin D)

Cutaneous Manifestations

Dermatitis Herpetiformis (itchy blistering rash)

Other symptoms

Aphthous ulcers

Joint ache

Headaches & Migraines

Infertility or menstrual irregularities

Irritability or depression

Nerve problems (numbness, tingling)

Complications If Untreated

Osteoporosis

Growth retardation in children

Infertility issues

Nerve damage

Malnutrition

Higher risk of other autoimmune disorders

Rarely: intestinal lymphoma

Diagnosis

1. Blood Tests (First Step)

tTG-IgA most reliable

EMA-IgA

DGP antibodies

Total IgA-to check for IgA deficiency

Important: The patient must be eating gluten during testing for accuracy.

2. Endoscopy with Biopsy (Gold Standard)

A small portion of the intestine is removed to confirm the damage to the villi.

3. Genetic Tests

HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 testing are useful when the diagnosis is unclear.

Treatment

1. Very Strict Gluten-free Diet for Life-ONLY Treatment

This is the major and most successful treatment.

Avoid all sources of:

Wheat

Barley

Rye

Oats (unless certified gluten-free)

Foods to Include

Rice, Corn, Millet, Sorghum

Gluten-free oats

Vegetables, fruits

Pulses and legumes

Nuts, seeds

Dairy (except lactose intolerance)

Healing Timeline

Symptoms often improve within weeks

Intestinal villi may take 6–12 months (children) or 1–3 years (adults) to fully heal

2. Supplements (If Necessary)

Based on deficiencies:

Iron

Calcium & Vitamin D

Folate

Vitamin B12

Zinc

3. Periodic Monitoring

Patients need periodic:

Blood tests

Nutritional assessment

Screening for complications

Lifestyle & Supportive Measures

These support well-being but do NOT replace the gluten-free diet.

1. Handling Stress

Stress can aggravate symptoms.

Yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises help regulate gut inflammation and digestion.

2. Homoeopathy / Ayurveda / Integrative Medicine

These might help support:

Digestion

Anxiety or stress

Skin problems

General immunity

But they cannot replace a gluten-free diet in managing celiac disease.

3. Gut-Friendly Practices

Probiotics (if advised)

Adequate fluid intake

Avoid processed foods.

Low-fat meals for early healing

Prognosis

With strict gluten avoidance, the Intestine heals completely. Symptoms greatly improve. The risk of complications reduces. Children catch up on growth. Patients live a normal, healthy life. Accidental gluten exposure may cause symptoms, so label reading and awareness are essential.