How do you become a coeliac?

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition that is triggered by eating gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye and oats. When people with coeliac disease eat gluten, their immune system mistakenly attacks the small intestine, causing damage to the villi. The villi are tiny, finger-like projections that line the small intestine and help absorb nutrients from food.

There are two main risk factors for coeliac disease: genetics and environmental factors.

Genetics: Coeliac disease is associated with certain genes, including HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8. People who have these genes are more likely to develop coeliac disease, but not everyone who has these genes will develop the condition.

Environmental factors: Certain environmental factors, such as stress, illness or surgery, can trigger coeliac disease in people who are already genetically predisposed to the condition.

There is no cure for coeliac disease, but it can be managed by eating a gluten-free diet. A gluten-free diet involves avoiding all foods that contain gluten, including wheat, barley, rye and oats. People with coeliac disease must also be careful to avoid cross-contamination of food with gluten. This can happen when gluten-containing foods are processed on the same equipment or in the same facility as gluten-free foods.

If you think you may have coeliac disease, talk to your doctor. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent serious health problems.