Final answer:
Celiac disease causes an immune response to gluten leading to intestinal damage and malabsorption of nutrients. Diagnosis is made via serological tests and endoscopy, and the primary treatment is a strict gluten-free diet.
Step-by-step explanation:
People with celiac disease have a heightened immune response to gluten, which is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. This immune response leads to damage in the small intestine's microvilli, hindering nutrient absorption and causing malabsorption. Symptoms of celiac disease can be diverse, including digestive distress, anemia, skin rashes, and further serious complications such as cancer. A strict gluten-free diet is the principal treatment for celiac disease, which can help heal intestinal damage and mitigate symptoms. Diagnosis of celiac disease involves serological tests to detect antibodies against gluten and other related substances. If serological tests are positive, a biopsy of the duodenal mucosa via endoscopy usually follows. While some individuals test positive for these antibodies, not everyone exhibits symptoms, leading to underdiagnoses of the condition. The prevalence of celiac disease serological markers in the population, such as in the United Kingdom, is around 1%.
Dietary management for celiac disease requires the complete elimination of gluten-containing foods. This necessitates a meticulous diet as gluten is commonly found in products like bread, pasta, and many other packaged foods. For individuals with celiac disease, ingesting gluten, even in trace amounts, can lead to further intestinal damage and hinder the recovery process.