Should I be gluten-free or lactose-free? This is the question many people with Celiac disease ask their doctors. Celiac disease is one of the worst kind of intestinal disorders that can happen to individuals. Almost similar to lactose intolerance, people with Celiac disease have intolerance to gluten, an ingredient found in wheat, oats, barley and rye. Gluten is almost poisonous to Celiacs and causes a lot of symptoms, general health disorders and undernourishment, including the condition – lactose intolerance.
Celiac disease – Overview: Celiac disease is a disease of the intestines. It damages the intestine when gluten enters the body, causing difficulty in supplying the body with nutrients like calcium, vitamins and minerals in gluten-rich diet. Gluten, a general element in wheat, barley, oats and rye, should be entirely cut off from the diet in order to survive the Celiac disease. The disease is passed on genetically. If a member of the family experiences this condition, it is likely that about 1 out of 10 members can concur the disease. One of the worst kinds of diseases of the intestine, it can cause lactose intolerance and other gastro-intestinal problems if left untreated. Since the disease damages the intestinal lining, it paralyzes the cells there, stopping lactase enzyme production in the small intestine.
Celiac disease – Symptoms: Celiac disease causes different problems at different ages. An infant who has Celiac will experience abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, weight loss and growth retardation. A child or a toddler who has Celiac will experience nausea, loss of appetite, anemia, mouth sores, allergic dermatitis and other complications in growth and weight gain. Such a child will generally be irritable, fretful, emotionally-withdrawn and even show signs of depression. Teenagers may attain late puberty and experience hair loss. Blistery or itchy skin is also occurs as a result of the disease. In adults, Celiac disease is very vehement. Taking gluten is next to taking poison as the body undergoes a lot of changes with gluten. Intestines are damaged and it takes a long time (about a year) to recover. In some, it leads to osteoporosis and pain. In others, celiac leads to anemia.
Blood tests can confirm the presence of celiac disease. Sometimes, untreated celiac disease can lead to lactose intolerance.
Lactose Intolerance and Celiac disease: Lactose intolerance is a complication caused by Celiac disease. If you are lactose intolerant, your doctor may suspect the presence of celiac disease in you. Often Celiacs, who do not take a proper, gluten-free diet become victims of lactose intolerance. When lactase deficiency is discovered, the Celiacs need to take diets that are both lactose-free and gluten-free. This is a tough situation and hence, most Celiacs go on a low-lactose and complete gluten-free diet plan. With celiacs, lactose intolerance can be cured easily. A gluten-free diet for a few months or for a year, can cure all the problems, resulting in complete recovery from lactose intolerance.
