Celiac disease

Celiac disease is a chronic condition that causes inflammation and damage to the lining of your small intestine when you eat gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. This makes it hard for your body to absorb nutrients. Celiac disease is also known as celiac sprue. Although the disease can cause similar symptoms to gluten intolerance, the two conditions aren’t the same, making accurate testing key to your diagnosis.

Gastroenterologists and dietitians at Penn Medicine, including in the Nutrition, Obesity, and Celiac Disease Program, have specific training in nutritional disorders like celiac disease. We can give you a precise diagnosis and work with you one-on-one to help you remove gluten from your diet and heal your small intestine. Our specialists provide you with every tool to effectively manage this lifelong condition.

As an autoimmune disorder, celiac disease causes your immune system to overreact to gluten and attack the cells that line your small intestine. The exact reason why this happens isn’t known, but there is a genetic link. You’re at greater risk of developing the disease if a family member has it. You also have a higher chance of having celiac disease if you have other autoimmune conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or type 1 diabetes.

The autoimmune reaction in celiac disease distinguishes it from gluten intolerance, also known as gluten hypersensitivity. People with gluten intolerance have similar symptoms but don’t have damage to the small intestine.

Treatment involves taking gluten out of your diet completely. Dietitians trained in celiac disease work with you on creating an eating plan that eliminates gluten. You might also need supplements if you have nutrient deficiencies. Other therapies can treat complications, like a skin rash or low bone density.

Celiac disease treatment can quickly relieve your symptoms and, with time, reverse damage to your small intestine. Penn Medicine’s gastroenterologists and dietitians help you plan a gluten-free diet that heals your intestine and helps you feel better. Our experts may also prescribe supplements and medications to treat other symptoms. You’ll need to avoid gluten for life, and we’re here for the long term, providing follow-up testing and regular check-ins.