Causes of celiac disease

Introduction

Celiac disease is a certain type of medical condition thatcauses damage to the small intestine and is also responsible for numerousproblems with absorption of nutrients, essential minerals, and vitamins. Thedamage is usually associated with the ingestion of gluten which is commonlyfound in barley, wheat and rye. The exact causes of celiac disease are yet tobe determined. It is a common belief between scientists that the disease is ofautoimmune nature and that it has something to do with certain environmentaland genetic factors.

Causes

A large number of autoimmune diseases are connected with one’sgenes and certain factors of one’s environment. Certain gene combinations leadto a higher risk of developing autoimmune diseases but they usually should notoccur until they get triggered by environmental factors such as sun exposure,pregnancy, drugs or certain types of infections.

The immune system identifiesand kills the potentially harmful germs when they attack the human body. If theimmune system does not function properly it may cause harm because the immunecells mistakenly attack the body’s own cells. This malfunction may be triggeredin any part of the human body. This process is commonly referred to asautoimmunity. Autoimmune disorders may affect the human body in numerousdifferent ways and some common examples of this activity include the multiplesclerosis where the reaction affects the brain and the Crohn’s disease wherethe reaction affects the gut.

There have been numerous studies conducted in order tounderstand the causes of celiac disease. So far it has been determined that itis partially associated with the genes so it runs in families. There are twocertain types of genes which are present in people who are more prone todevelop the celiac disease. So far it has been determined that there mustcertain other types of genes involved in the development of the disease sinceone of the two aforementioned genes can be found in people who do not have theceliac disease.

These genes cause the immune cells to attack the tissue thatlines the small intestine after the ingestion of gluten. Most people whoexclude gluten from the daily diet usually experience remission. Certain factorcan trigger and contribute to the development of the disease. Those includesurgery, childbirth, pregnancy, severe emotional stress and numerous viralinfections. Up until now, it has been determined that the celiac disease getstriggered by a combination of certain environmental and genetic factors.