Meridian Health

More and more children are being diagnosed with celiac disease in the U.S. For their families, getting used to a gluten-free life can be challenging. But there are ways to help ease the transition.

What Is Celiac Disease?

Celiac disease is a digestive disease in which a person can’t tolerate gluten — a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. Even the tiniest amount of gluten causes the immune system to damage or destroy the tiny fingerlike parts of the small intestine called villi.

“Without villi, nutrients needed for normal growth and development can’t be absorbed into the bloodstream,” says Azam Soroush, M.D., of Jersey Shore University Medical Center. “Instead, they pass through the intestine only partially digested.”

Although symptoms vary and can affect many parts of the body, symptoms in children tend to include:

• Stomach bloating and pain
• Chronic diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Pale, foul-smelling, or fatty stool
• Weight loss
• Irritability and fatigue
• Anemia
  

Managing a Gluten-Free Life

Only one treatment helps celiac disease: a gluten-free diet. For most kids, avoiding gluten will stop symptoms within days and heal the intestine within two years.

“Following a gluten-free diet means not eating most grains, pasta, cereal, and many processed foods,” says Dr. Soroush. “But the good news is, more and more gluten-free products are available at grocery stores these days. Plus, fresh meat, poultry, fish, eggs, rice, fruit, and veggies can be eaten because they don’t contain gluten.”

Going gluten-free can be tricky at first. Dr. Soroush provides these tips to help your family:

• Work with a dietician to learn which foods to avoid, how to eat a balanced diet, and how to read ingredient lists.
• Check the ingredient lists on medicine, vitamins, and lip balm because they may contain wheat. If ingredients are not listed, ask a pharmacist to help you.
• Avoid additives — such as modified food starch, preservatives, and stabilizers — that are made from wheat. Ask your child’s doctor or dietician for a list of ingredients to watch out for.
• When in doubt while eating out, ask about ingredients and preparation.
• Instead of wheat flour, try flour made from gluten-free sources, such as potato, rice, soy, or beans.
• Seek out a celiac disease support group.

About the Doctor

Azam Soroush, M.D.
Board Certified in Pediatric Gastroenterology
Neptune | 732-776-4860