coeliac disease
what is
coeliac disease?
Coeliac disease (gluten sensitive enteropathy) is a condition where the small bowel lining is damaged by exposure to gluten.
It is a common disease affecting up to 1-2% of people (depending on ethnicity).
The symptoms are highly variable, ranging from no symptoms (being diagnosed incidentally) through to diarrhoea, constipation, bloating, abdominal pain, rashes, growth disturbance in children, anaemia, irritability and mouth ulcers (to mention just a few).
The Gastroenterology Society of Australia (GESA) have prepared a summary information sheet on coeliac disease that is worth reading if you would like to learn more.
If you suspect you have coeliac disease, you should talk to a doctor.
