The only treatment for celiac disease is following a gluten-free diet.

This article discusses celiac disease’s symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment.

Larisa Stefanuyk / Getty Images

How Does Celiac Disease Develop?

A chef’s hands spraying flour over dough

Larisa Stefanuyk / Getty Images

About 2 million people in the United States and 1% of the worldwide population have celiac disease.

Causes of Celiac Disease

Multiple factors can increase the risk of developing celiac disease.

When Do Symptoms Usually Appear?

Celiac disease can develop at any time, and symptoms are highly individual.

Some people also get misdiagnosed due to unconventional symptoms, while others can have celiac disease without any symptoms.

What Are the Symptoms of Celiac Disease?

They will likely draw blood to check for antibodies associated with celiac disease, as well as do anendoscopy.

Avoiding gluten can impact your results.

How Is Celiac Disease Treated?

The onlytreatment for celiac diseaseis following agluten-free diet.

While medications and vaccines have been investigated, no alternative treatment to a gluten-free diet exists.

Foods to Avoid

If you have celiac disease, you must avoid all foods containing gluten.

Gluten can be found in wheat, rye, and barley.

Colors, flavors, starches, and thickeners can also contain gluten and are often added to processed foods.

Diet Tips

Gluten-free does not mean grain-free.

Whole grains also provide a rich source of fiber, which helps balance the digestive system.

Create meals based on vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats.

Nutrient-dense carbohydrate choices may include regular and sweet potatoes, beans, peas, corn, and squashes.

Can You Prevent Celiac Disease?

Investigations into environmental risk factors have not uncovered a way to prevent the condition before it occurs.

Still, it has yet to be approved by the Food and Drug Association (FDA).

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definitions & facts for celiac disease.

Beyond Celiac.Celiac disease prevalence in women.

Celiac Disease Foundation.Celiac disease and nonceliac gluten sensitivity: a review.

2014;9(5):e97853.

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0097853

Celiac Disease Foundation.What is celiac disease?

Oldways Whole Grain Council.Gluten free whole grains.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, diet, & nutrition for celiac disease.

Beyond Celiac.Talking to your family about getting tested for celiac disease.