Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu has revealed that she has celiac disease. Here’s all you need to know about the disorder, its symptoms, causes, and whether it might induce weight gain or loss in certain people.

She stated this at a Chandigarh event “nobody knows about my celiac disease. That I can’t eat wheat flour and many other things.”

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What is Celiac disease?

“Celiac disease is a condition that makes it difficult for your body to digest gluten. Gluten is a protein present in grains such as wheat, rye, barley, and oats. Gluten can be found in bread, pasta, pizza, and cereal “Dr Honey Savla, Consultant Internal Medicine at Wockhardt Hospital in Mumbai Central, agrees.

Celiac disease (CD) is a systemic, immune-mediated condition that occurs in individuals with a genetic predisposition in response to dietary gluten consumption, according to the National Library of Medicine. It is a prevalent yet significantly underdiagnosed condition. If left untreated, it can lead to major long-term consequences.

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Gluten, according to Dr Honey Savla, destroys the intestines in patients with celiac disease, causing the following symptoms:

● Pain in the belly

● Diarrhoea

● Weight loss

● Feeling bloated, or too full all the time

● Low appetite

● Bad gas

● Itchy skin rashes.

A blood test and a duodenal biopsy, which will be sent for histopathology, can confirm it.

Treatment includes adhering to a gluten-free diet and replacing vitamins that are not absorbed.

However, according to Dr Patankar, the symptoms of celiac disease might differ from person to person.

“Common symptoms include diarrhoea, lethargy, weight loss, bloating, glass, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and constipation. Furthermore, some individuals will exhibit symptoms such as anaemia, mouth ulcers, migraines, itchy skin, joint pain, and even bone density loss. Furthermore, some patients with this ailment will exhibit no symptoms “according to the expert.’

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What is the best way to treat celiac disease?

“To treat celiac disease, attempt to consume a gluten-free diet. A professional will advise you on what to eat and what to exclude from your diet. Remember to avoid gluten-containing meals and beverages “Dr Patankar advises

“Consume fruits like oranges, bananas, apples, and berries, as well as cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, greens, spinach, kale, potatoes, maize, bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, carrots, peas, chickpeas, lentils, gluten-free whole grains, and dairy products. Wheat, white bread, soy sauce, barbeque sauce, salad dressings, marinades, cakes, cookies, pastries, pancakes, waffles, noodles, energy bars, beer, puddings, and instant dessert mixes should all be avoided “the expert adds.

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Do people lose or gain weight when suffering from celiac disease?

Although celiac disease is associated with losing weight and being thin because it destroys the lining of the small intestine, causing malnutrition and malabsorption, it can also induce weight gain in some cases.

According to research published in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, 15.2% of individuals with celiac disease were overweight and 6.8% were obese when they were identified. These outnumbered the 17.3% of the population who were underweight. It demonstrates that being overweight is not uncommon among people with celiac disease.