According to the Spanish Society of Digestive Pathology currently a 1% of the population of the western countries is celiac with a higher percentage in women than in men. Although it is considered that the proportion of celiac people with respect to the total population is higher because there is 75% of undiagnosed patients.
We remember that celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that can occur in both children and adults and consists of a permanent gluten intolerance, protein present in some cereals such as wheat, barley, rye, triticale (hybrid of wheat and rye) and also in oats. He Dr. José Cordero, medical director of NectarHe explains that the symptoms are wide and varied and may include chronic diarrhea, weight loss, abdominal distension, lack of appetite, anemia, vomiting, recurrent abdominal pain, character changes and growth retardation in children. And that, if diagnosed, the only treatment for now is to follow a strict gluten free diet for life to try to normalize the lives of those diagnosed.
For diagnosis, in addition to clinical symptoms, specific antibodies to celiac disease are analyzed, although for a accurate diagnosis is necessary to perform an intestinal biopsy. It is also known that celiac disease has a genetic basis, so that within the same family there may be several affected.
I think that a great effort has been made to find gluten-free products in many food establishments, not necessarily specialized, although there is still a long way to go so that people who suffer from this disease do not affect their quality of life. In any case the key is the diagnosis so we recommend that you see a pediatrician or allergy specialist in case of any symptoms.
