Guide To The Most Common Autoimmune Diseases

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is a common autoimmune disorder in which the patient's immune system has an abnormal and often severe reaction to gluten, a protein found in many foods. This abnormal immune system reaction takes place in the small intestine. When this reaction occurs repeatedly, it causes significant damage to the small intestine's lining. The lining of the small intestine possesses thousands of small finger-like projections that absorb nutrients from food. These projections increase the surface area inside the small intestine to maximize its absorption abilities.

When celiac disease damages this lining, patients experience symptoms related to malabsorption. Examples of these symptoms include fatigue, diarrhea, bloating, weight loss, and anemia. Celiac disease is diagnosed through genetic testing, serology testing, endoscopy, capsule endoscopy, and intestinal tissue biopsy.

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