Celiac Disease is a sensitivity to gluten that leads to flattening of the villi of the small intestine. Villi are small, hair-like projections that are responsible for absorbing nutrients. People with Celiac Disease lose the efficiency of their villi, and consequently fail to digest all the nutrients they need. Further, for Celiacs, gluten acts as a poison which can cause many other problematic symptoms, including indigestion, diarrhea, lactose intolerance, irritability, weight loss, bone pain, osteoporosis, anemia, dental problems, severe fatigue, and others.

People with Celiac Disease who continue to eat gluten are also 20 to 30 times more likely to develop intestinal lymphoma, a type of cancer, roughly 40% are also allergic to soy and corn, and many Celiacs develop a highly irritating skin condition called Dermatitis Herpetiformis.

People who think they may have Celiac Disease should make an appointment with their family physician or gastroenterologist immediately. Most often a blood test can tell whether the particular antibody is present that is thought to confirm Celiac Disease. However, a more accurate confirmation of the disease entails undergoing a blood test, and then going on a 100% gluten-free diet for six weeks or so, and then to get blood tested again. If symptoms disappear in the complete absence of gluten, then Celiac Disease is the diagnosis.

Some physicians may also perform what is thought to be the most accurate form of diagnosis -- an intestinal endoscopy. This is where they insert a tube into your small intestine and perform a biopsy. Among other things, they will be examining the villi of your small intestine to see whether they have flattened out (mucosal atrophy). Although a more invasive procedure, the biopsy technique can be more accurate because it more concretely illustrates damage to the villi.