Coeliac disease, also known as celiac disease, is a common bowel condition that is caused by intolerance to a protein called gluten. Gluten is found in wheat, rye and barley, which are often used to make foods such as bread, pasta and biscuits.
What causes coeliac disease?
The exact cause of coeliac disease is unknown. However, the condition can be inherited (run in families).
Although it is linked to certain foods, coeliac disease is not a food allergy. It is an autoimmune condition, which means that it occurs as a result of the body's immune system attacking gluten in the digestive system.
In people with coeliac disease, their immune system mistakes gluten as being harmful and attacks it, damaging the lining of the intestines (gut) so that it cannot absorb food properly. This leads to symptoms such as diarrhoea, weight loss and stomach pain.
Who gets coeliac disease?
Coeliac disease affects approximately one in 100 people in the UK. However, some people with the condition may have few or no symptoms. Many people may also have the condition but be unaware of it.
Anyone can develop coeliac disease at any age, including babies and children, although it is most common among people aged 40 to 50.
There is no cure for coeliac disease, but the symptoms can be kept under control by eating a strict gluten-free diet. However, coeliac disease that is untreated or undiagnosed can cause several different complications.
