What is Coeliac Disease?

Coeliac disease is not an allergy, it's an auto-immune disease, caused by sensitivity to the protein gluten, which is found in wheat, barley and rye. Some people with coeliac disease also react to oats. In people with Coeliac Disease, the body treats gluten as harmful and attacks it, so that the lining of the small intestine is damaged. Symptoms of coeliac disease may range from mild to severe, and can include bloating, nausea, wind, tiredness, constipation, anaemia, mouth ulcers, headaches, diarrhoea, weight loss, hair loss, skin problems, short stature, depression, infertility, recurrent miscarriages and joint/bone pain.

Coeliac disease can be kept under control and further problems prevented by completely eliminating gluten from your diet. If you think you may have coeliac disease, you should visit your GP, who'll be able to give you simple blood test.

Coeliac City recommends for more information on coeliac disease, once you have been diagnosed, you should contact Coeliac UK, the charity improving life for people with coeliac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis. For more information on coeliac disease and what research is being done, visit our Research made Simple, page.