Allergy Care - Gluten Intolerance/Coeliac Disease

Gluten intolerance, also known as Coeliac disease, is the result of the immune system's response to the ingestion of gluten. Gluten is a protein that is found in wheat, rye, oats and barley and it can damage the small intestine of sufferers. This damage then restricts the absorption of other foods eaten, and can cause a variety of symptoms, including weight loss, diarrhea, bloating, anemia, fatigue etc.

Coeliac disease is genetic. Therefore the only way to avoid symptoms is to adhere to a strictly gluten-free diet for life as this is the only treatment currently available. Therefore, sufferers must eliminate wheat, rye, oats and barley, and derivatives of these grains.

Page updated: 2 May 2008