In celiac disease, the lining of the small intestine is damaged due to an adverse reaction to gluten, a protein that is found in wheat, barley, and rye.
The condition is thought to be due to an abnormal immune response to gluten.
Celiac disease tends to run in families. Symptoms vary widely but may include diarrhea, with bulky, foul-smelling feces; abdominal pain and swelling; gas (flatus); weight loss; and sometimes a persistent rash. The disease may also lead to malabsorption and malnutrition, and sometimes anemia.
Treatment is to follow a gluten-free diet, which usually clears up the symptoms rapidly (normally within a few weeks). The diet needs to be followed for life to avoid symptoms recurring