Rheumatoid Arthritis & Celiac Disease

Among the more recent medical diagnoses that are being brought to light by the medical community is celiac disease. As research continues, and more doctors become aware of the underlying symptoms of the disease, patients can effectively deal with their condition and empower themselves by taking treatment into their own hands. Celiac disease is a simple disease with an easy answer, though; if left untreated, a host of other complications can result. One such ailment is rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Features

• Celiac disease is still relatively new to the medical world, as least in terms of diagnosable cases. A celiac sufferer has an extreme food sensitivity to wheat products, specifically wheat gluten and monosodium glutamate (MSG). A small blood sample is taken from potential patients, usually drawn from the index or middle finger. The blood droplet is administered a series of four tests, each checking for elevations in the levels of antibodies, specifically those targeting gluten. If positive, doctors advise their patients on either eliminating wheat from their diets or restricting the eating of wheat products. Overconsumption of wheat or MSG by celiac patients has dire consequences.

Effects

• Ingestion of wheat usually causes celiac patients extreme digestive discomfort in the form of sharp or dull pains, gas or nausea. Doctors believe extreme cases can lead to the development of RA, an arthritic condition that chronically inflames joint structures and surrounding organs. Prescription medications exist to alleviate RA symptoms, but, like celiac disease, there is no known cure. Classified as a progressively devastating disease, RA is a debilitating condition that damages the tissues beyond repair, resulting in permanent mobility loss.

Significance

• Celiac disease and RA are recognized as auto-immune diseases, conditions in which the body becomes its own worst enemy by essentially attacking itself. In the case of RA, researchers are unsure if environmental factors or heredity play a part in patient susceptibility. Celiac disease is of unknown origin. The correlation between instances of celiac patients testing positive for RA and other forms of arthritis was formed when doctors found a higher degree of antibodies present in celiac sufferers. The study found negative antibody presence in those who have modified their diets.

Misconceptions

• Celiac disease is not to be confused with having a food allergy. In an auto-immune disease, the body creates and distributes antibodies to eliminate a foreign substance. In this case (as well as that of RA), the antibodies mistakenly attack tissues or structures they deem as "invaders." On the contrary, food allergies cannot be medically classified as a disease. Allergic reactions to food usually manifest themselves as airway constriction, hives and skin irritations. Allergic reactions are nearly always immediate, while celiac patients may have the disease incorrectly diagnosed for years.

Prevention/Solution

• Since there is no cure for celiac disease, the simplest method to avoid celiac complications is through diet modification. By replacing wheat products with those made from corn, rice and sometimes oats, patients can live normal lives. Although wheat gluten is present in many products, most manufacturers list wheat as a cautionary ingredient on the box label. Progress has been made in recent years in dealing with RA. Treatments such as corticosteroid injections and prescription medicines like Trexall have been shown to reduce joint swellings in clinical trials. As with celiac disease, there is no known cure.