Final answer:
The stool of a person with Celiac Disease typically appears pale, loose, and fatty, and is often examined along with blood tests to diagnose the condition. A gluten-free diet is the main treatment for Celiac Disease.
Step-by-step explanation:
Individuals with Celiac Disease may experience changes in their stool due to malabsorption resulting from damage to the microvilli in their small intestine caused by an immune response to gluten. Stool characteristics can include being pale, loose, and fatty, described medically as steatorrhea. This is due to the body's inability to absorb fats and other nutrients effectively. To diagnose Celiac Disease, a microscopic examination of stool over several days is recommended, along with serological tests for the presence of specific IgA antibodies. Eliminating gluten from the diet is the primary treatment for managing symptoms and promoting intestinal healing.
Certain types of infectious agents that can mimic symptoms of Celiac Disease, such as C. jejuni and Salmonella, may also cause the presence of blood in the stool, warranting the examination of stool samples by a physician. The goal of these stool sample analyses is not only to rule out infectious agents but also to check for the malabsorptive consequences of Celiac Disease.