The number of Italians living with celiac disease continues to grow. Diagnoses have now reached 224,000. However, experts estimate that there are actually 600,000. This is due to the fact that this disease often has no symptoms or the symptoms it manifests are non-specific. It means that these are manifestations common to many other pathologies, such as a swollen abdomen, diarrhea or constipation. The data arrives Italian Society of Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy (Sige).
«Celiac disease, which affects approximately1% of the Italian populationis an autoimmune food intolerance caused by an improper reaction of T lymphocytes to gluten, a set of proteins present in some cereals (wheat, spelt, kamut, barley, rye, spelt and triticale)” he explains Umberto VoltaInternist, Coordinator of the Scientific Board of the Italian Celiac Association. You can ask him for a consultation here
In people genetically predisposed to developing celiac disease, these immune system cells release a series of substances (cytokines), That damage the intestinal mucosauntil the villi, i.e. those small intestinal structures that serve to absorb nutrients, atrophy.
The diagnosis
It is carried out initially through serological assays of specific antibodies: antitransglutaminase (in sigla, anti-tTG), anti-endometriosis (EmA), anti deamidated gliadin peptides (DGP). They are very sensitive tests, with which almost 98% of cases of celiac disease are discovered. But to confirm the diagnosis, at least until less invasive tests on which researchers are working are developed, a duodenal biopsy is essentialwith the removal of a fragment of tissue during a gastroscopy.
Symptoms
The presenting symptoms are more variable than ever and they understand gastrointestinal manifestations
diarrhea abdominal pain and swelling constipation gastroesophageal reflux nausea vomiting canker sores of the oral cavity.
And demonstrations non-gastrointestinal:
chronic fatigue iron deficiency anemia and folic acid deficiency osteoporosis of unexplained cause growth arrest with short stature abnormality of dental enamel alterations of the gynecological sphere such as late menarche, early menopause and recurrent abortion increased liver enzymes, in particular transaminases.
Replacement products
There is no therapy for celiacs: the only possibility it is the lifelong exclusion of gluten from the diet. Today, however, on the market there are many products made with rice, corn, corn, buckwheat, millet, teff, amaranth, quinoa and other gluten-free cereals, which can therefore easily end up in the shopping cart of a celiac.
The risk of contamination
Not only must foods made from flours (refined or wholemeal) from cereals containing gluten disappear from the table, but even foods that may have been contaminated in the various production phases. Furthermore, much attention must be paid to the use of cutlery, avoiding them coming into contact with prohibited foods. The slightest transgression can cost you dearly, as you remember Diego Dalla Palma. For this reason, when eating out, it is advisable to check that the restaurant is among the over 4,000 in our country present in the guide that can be downloaded on the website of the Italian Celiac Association (celiachia.it) or from the AIC Mobile application, which can be downloaded for free from the main App stores.