Celiac Disease And Other Intestinal Disorders includes any medical condition or health complaint that afflicts or originates in the small or large intestines, the sections of the digestive system that are primarily concerned with the absorption of nutrients and water. These organs are essential to digestion, and any loss of function of these organs can have very serious health consequences.

Celiac Disease And Other Intestinal Disorders include the following conditions:

Bile Reflux
Bile Reflux occurs when bile flows upward from the small intestine into the stomach and the esophagus. Bile is digestive fluid that is produced by the Liver. Bile Reflux often accompanies Acid Reflux, where stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus, and either alone or together they cause burning sensations and pain in the upper chest and throat. Either of these conditions can potentially increase the risk of esophageal cancer.

Unlike Acid Reflux, Bile Reflux cannot normally be controlled with diet or lifestyle changes. In the majority of cases, Bile Reflux can be treated with medications, but in severe cases surgery may be required.

Blind Loop Syndrome
Blind Loop Syndrome (also called Stasis Syndrome or Stagnant Loop Syndrome) occurs when part of the small intestine is bypassed and cut-off from the flow of digestive juices and food, causing increased bacterial growth in the cut-off section of the small intestine. These bacteria can then interfere with the absorption of essential nutrients, and this can lead to diarrhea, weight loss, and malnutrition.

The condition is often a complication of abdominal surgery, but can also result from defects in the colon and also by some diseases. Antibiotics are usually sufficient to treat the condition, but in some cases surgery is required.

Celiac Disease
Celiac Disease is a digestive disorder which is triggered by the consumption of gluten, a protein commonly contained in bread, cookies, crackers, pasta, pizza crust, and many other foods containing barley, wheat, oats, or rye.

After someone with Celiac Disease consumes gluten, the protein causes an immune reaction in the small intestine, which causes damage to the surface of the small intestine and reduces its ability to absorb certain nutrients. Eventually, the reduced absorption of nutrients can cause vitamin deficiencies in the brain, peripheral nervous system, bones, liver, and other organs of the body, and this can leave the body open to a range of illnesses and also cause a range of potentially serious health complications.

There is currently no cure for Celiac Disease. The main treatment option for managing the condition is dietary changes.

Cyclospora Infection
Cyclospora Infection is an uncommon intestinal infection caused by a microscopic, single-celled parasite, which occurs as a result of consuming contaminated water and produce.

The infection can cause a range of symptoms, such as frequent and often very explosive and watery diarrhea, which may alternate with periods of constipation. The main treatment option is antibiotics combined with improved food hygiene practices.

Intestinal Obstruction
Intestinal Obstruction is a blockage that prevents food and fluid from passing through the small intestine or colon. The blockage occurs because of adhesions, which are fibrous bands of tissue in the intestine, or as the result of hernias or tumors.

This condition can cause a range of symptoms, such as abdominal pain, swelling of the abdomen, nausea, and vomiting.

If left untreated, this can cause the blocked parts of the intestine to die, causing severe infection in the body which can be potentially fatal.

Intestinal Obstruction requires prompt medical care.

Lactose Intolerance
Lactose Intolerance – also known as Lactase Deficiency – is the inability to fully digest the sugar (lactose) contained in milk and dairy products. The condition is not usually life threatening, but it can cause a range of unpleasant symptoms, including diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramps, and bloating.

Lactose Intolerance is caused by the lack of lactase, an enzyme produced by the lining of your small intestine that breaks down lactose so that it can be absorbed into your bloodstream. As such, Lactose Intolerance is not a food allergy, and it does not involve the immune system.

The best treatment for lactose intolerance is to limit the amount of milk and dairy products in the diet. To avoid developing a calcium deficiency due to decreased milk and dairy consumption, vitamin supplements should also be taken.

Shigella Infection
Shigella Infection (also called Shigellosis) is an intestinal infection which is caused by a family of bacteria known as shigella. The condition can cause a range of symptoms, such as abdominal pain, fever, and diarrhea, which is often bloody. Not all people with shigella in their gut will develop symptoms.

The bacteria are often transmitted by direct contact with the bacteria via stool, such as when a person does not wash their hands properly after changing diapers, or as the result of consuming contaminated food or drinking, or by swimming in contaminated water.

Shigella Infection is most common in developing nations where there is poor sanitation and a lack of clean water. The condition is treated with antibiotics, in conjunction with improved food and hygiene standards, and obtaining access to clean water.

Whipple’s Disease
Whipple’s Disease (also called Intestinal Lipodystrophy) is a rare bacterial infection that reduces the ability of the gastrointestinal system to break down foods, such as fats and carbohydrates, and reduces the ability of the small intestine to absorb nutrients. The bacteria can also infect other organs of the body, such as the brain, heart, eyes, and joints.

As a result of such wide spread infection, Whipple’s Disease can cause a very wide range of symptoms, such as diarrhea, abdominal cramping, weight loss, inflamed ankle, knee, and wrist joints, fatigue, weakness, memory loss, confusion, fever, cough, loss of balance, seizures, and other symptoms.

A lengthy course of antibiotics is required to treat the condition. Without proper treatment, Whipple’s Disease can be fatal.

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It is reported that as many as 50 million American children and adults suffer from lactose intolerance. It is such a common digestive disorder that 75% of African-Americans and Native Americans are lactose intolerant, as are 90% of Asian Americans.

Lactose intolerance is where digestive diseases or injury to the small intestine render the body unable to digest lactase, which is a sugar in milk products.

Amongst the symptoms that the individual with lactose intolerance may have are bloating, cramping, gas, diarrhea, and also nausea. The extent to which the symptoms are felt depends on how much milk products have been consumed.

Testing For Lactose Intolerance

A doctor may diagnose lactose intolerance by performing diagnostic tests on an outpatient basis. These tests are usually performed at a hospital laboratory, in a clinic, or at the doctor’s office.

Tests:

Lactose tolerance test – this is when the absorption of lactose is measured. The patient has to fast before the test and then drink a liquid that contains lactose. Several blood tests are taken over a two hour period of time. The glucose (blood sugar) level is measured. This test measures how well the person’s body digests lactose.

The hydrogen breath test is when the patient drinks a lactose heavy drink, and the patient’s breath is then analyzed at regular intervals in order to measure the hydrogen in the breath. Bacteria ferment undigested lactose in the colon, which then results in gases being produced including hydrogen. High levels of hydrogen in the breath are an indication of lactose not being properly digested by the system.

Once diagnosed, the doctor will discuss treatment with the patient. The treatment should improve the body’s ability to handle lactose by proper diet or by adding lactase enzymes to the diet. Children should be under the care of a doctor because of the vital need for milk products for healthy growth.

Sometimes lactose is found in unlikely foods because it is added to prepared foods such as bread and other baked goods, instant potatoes, processed breakfast cereals, soups, breakfast drinks, margarine, lunch meats (not kosher ones), salad dressings, candies and other snack items, and mixes such as those for pancakes, biscuits and cookies.

You also have to be very careful about non-dairy products such as coffee creamer and whipped toppings because they could be made with ingredients that are derived from milk, and can therefore also contain lactose.

Labels can be deceptive as they may not say “milk” but still contain milk products, so always be sure to carefully read labels when buying products and look for the following words:

Curds

Dry milk solids

Milk by-products

Nonfat dry milk powder

Whey

People who are lactose intolerant can receive the calcium that their bodies need by eating non-dairy foods such as green vegetables, fish such as salmon and sardines that have soft bones , and also yogurt, which is an excellent way to receive calcium. Yogurt has active cultures that actually produce some of the lactase enzymes required for proper digestion.

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