How many celiacs in uk

But there are half a million who don't know it and may still be struggling with unexplained symptoms. Could you be one of them? Read on to find out more about coeliac disease, or go straight to our online assessment to check your symptoms. Coeliac disease has a wide range of symptoms so check below or complete our online assessment. My stomach was crampy and painful every time I ate and I was so bloated I looked six months pregnant. Because of the way that coeliac disease can affect the gut, it's frequently misdiagnosed as IBS.

If you think you could have coeliac disease, take our online assessment at isitcoeliacdisease. To help you understand coeliac disease and the steps involved in diagnosis, we have developed a short animation to explain the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

If you think you have DH you may be referred to a dermatologist as well as for a gut biopsy. See diagnosing coeliac disease for more information about when testing for coeliac disease should be done. Coeliac UK is a UK charity for people with coeliac disease. Its website has useful resources, including information about a gluten-free diet , local groups, volunteering and ongoing campaigns. Page last reviewed: 03 December Next review due: 03 December Coeliac disease is caused by an adverse reaction to gluten, which is a dietary protein found in 3 types of cereal: wheat barley rye Gluten is found in any food that contains those cereals, including: pasta cakes breakfast cereals most types of bread certain types of sauces some ready meals In addition, most beers are made from barley.

Symptoms of coeliac disease Eating foods that contain gluten can trigger a range of gut symptoms, such as: diarrhoea , which may smell particularly unpleasant stomach aches bloating and farting flatulence indigestion constipation Coeliac disease can also cause more general symptoms, including: tiredness fatigue as a result of not getting enough nutrients from food malnutrition unintentional weight loss an itchy rash dermatitis herpetiformis problems getting pregnant infertility nerve damage peripheral neuropathy disorders that affect co-ordination, balance and speech ataxia Children with coeliac disease may not grow at the expected rate and may have delayed puberty.

What causes coeliac disease? Treating coeliac disease There's no cure for coeliac disease, but following a gluten-free diet should help control symptoms and prevent the long-term complications of the condition. Complications of coeliac disease Complications of coeliac disease only tend to affect people who continue to eat gluten, or those who have not yet been diagnosed with the condition, which can be a common problem in milder cases.

Potential long-term complications include: weakening of the bones osteoporosis iron deficiency anaemia vitamin B12 and folate deficiency anaemia Less common and more serious complications include some types of cancers, such as bowel cancer , and problems affecting pregnancy, such as your baby having a low birth weight.

Dr Anthon Emmanuel, consultant gastroenterologist at UCL, said: "This [increase] is a diagnostic phenomenon, not an incidence phenomenon. It is exactly what we had anticipated. He said testing for the disease had got much easier in recent years, and was now a simple blood test rather than the "palaver" of the more intrusive test used previously.

Sarah Sleet added: "We were hoping diagnosis rates had gone up, as they were appallingly low. Child coeliac numbers on the rise. Most people find it easier to follow the diet once they have got used to it. There is a risk of developing problems such as a low iron count anaemia or thinning of the bones osteoporosis but these are far less likely if you eat the correct foods.

If you do develop these problems, your doctor may put you on tablet supplements before starting the diet. Women with coeliac disease can have fertility problems but these usually resolve once the gluten-free diet has started. Having coeliac disease may increase your risk of having certain types of cancer. There is a rare form of tumour called a Lymphoma which can affect the bowel and which does occur in a very small number of people with coeliac disease after many years, especially if they continue to eat gluten.

If you have coeliac disease and adhere to the diet, you can expect the same life expectancy as anyone else. As you might develop problems in the future, it is worth keeping an eye on your health. It is recommended that you have a check-up once a year to ensure all is well.

It is a good idea to have annual blood tests to ensure you are not anaemic or have become short of vitamins and other nutrients. Your doctor may also arrange for you to have a simple scan of your bones from time to time to look for any sign that the bones have become thin so this can be treated early. People with coeliac disease are less able to produce antibodies to infections, so that vaccinations against flu and pneumococcal infections may be recommended.

Coeliac UK. We fund life-saving research into diseases of the gut, liver and pancreas. Champion our cause; help us fight digestive diseases and change the lives of millions of people in the UK by supporting our work today. Skip to content Search Menu Donate. Coeliac Disease Download printable version.

Overview 2. Causes 3. Symptoms 4. Treatment 5. This information factsheet is about Coeliac Disease Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition, which occurs in people who become sensitive to a protein called gluten in their diet.

How can coeliac disease affect you? The main ways that coeliac disease can affect the body is: Physical discomfort: bloating, abdominal discomfort, diarrhoea, unexplained weight loss. Shortage of essential nutrients: this can lead to other conditions such as osteoporosis or anaemia. Causes of coeliac disease We do not know why people develop this condition but there are many theories. What are the usual symptoms of coeliac disease?

How is coeliac disease diagnosed? If they suspect coeliac disease, further tests will be carried out: Blood tests: these will be looking for antibodies indicative of coeliac disease and must be done whilst gluten containing food is still being eaten.

However, a positive blood test does not confirm the diagnosis beyond doubt.