Celiac disease was once considered extremely rare. Now it is much more common. In this autoimmune condition, exposure to gluten, a protein in wheat, barley and rye, damages the lining of the small intestine and interferes with nutrient absorption. The resulting deficiencies can affect many organ systems, from the digestive tract to bones, skin and nerves.
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic have found that new diagnoses jumped dramatically in Olmsted County, Minnesota, between 2000 and 2010. The scientists believe that part of this increase is due to better awareness of the condition and therefore more testing by physicians. They propose that something in the environment is probably also driving the increase.
[American Journal of Gastroenterology, online March 19, 2013]
To learn more about celiac disease, you may want to listen to our 2012 interview with Dr. Peter Green, one of the country’s leading experts on this condition.
The People's Perspective on Medicine