Celiac Disease: What You Need to Know & What to Do

Celiac disease is a chronic autoimmune disorder that affects the small intestine. When people with celiac disease consume gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, their immune system reacts by damaging the lining of the small intestine. This damage hinders the absorption of essential nutrients, leading to various health problems.

Celiac disease is hereditary, meaning that it runs in families. People with a first-degree relative with celiac disease (parent, child, sibling) have a 1 in 10 risk of developing celiac disease.

Celiac disease can develop at any age after people start consuming gluten. Left untreated, celiac disease can lead to additional serious health problems.