Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder in which the ingestion of gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye triggers an immune response that damages the lining of the small intestine. This damage can lead to various gastrointestinal and systemic symptoms, including diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fatigue and mal-absorption of nutrients. The effective treatment for celiac disease is a strict gluten-free diet.
CAUSES OF CELIAC DISEASE :
The exact cause of celiac disease is not fully understood, but it is believed to be a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors. Here are the main factors involved:
- Genetics: Celiac disease has a strong genetic component. It is more common in individuals who have specific genetic markers, particularly the HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 However, not everyone with these genes will develop celiac disease.
- Gluten Consumption: The trigger for celiac disease is the consumption of gluten-containing foods, such as those made from wheat, barley, and rye. The immune system of individuals with celiac disease reacts abnormally to gluten proteins.
- Environmental Factors: While genetics play a significant role, environmental factors are also important. Factors like the timing of a person's first exposure to gluten, the amount of gluten consumed, and factors that affect the gut microbiome may contribute to the development of the disease.
- Immune Response: In celiac disease, the immune system responds to gluten by producing antibodies and causing inflammation in the small intestine. This immune response damages the intestinal lining and can lead to the symptoms and complications associated with the disease.
Celiac disease can manifest with a wide range of symptoms, and these can vary from person to person. Some common symptoms of celiac disease include:
- Chronic diarrhoea
- Abdominal pain and bloating
- Gas and flatulence
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Anemia (low iron levels)
- Vitamin and mineral deficiencies (e.g., vitamin D, B12 and calcium)
- Foul-smelling, fatty stools (steatorrhoea)
- Loss of appetite
- Skin rashes (such as dermatitis herpetiformis)
- Joint pain
- Headache
- Depression or anxiety
- Numbness or tingling sensation in the hands and feet
- Osteoporosis (weakened bones)
In children and infants:
- Failure to thrive
- Delayed growth and development
- Irritability
- Dental enamel defects
The diagnosis of celiac disease typically involves a combination of clinical evaluation, blood tests, and, in some cases, a biopsy of the small intestine. Here are the key steps:
- Clinical Evaluation: A healthcare provider will review your medical history and ask about your symptoms, which may include digestive problems, fatigue and skin rashes.
- Blood Tests: The primary blood test for celiac disease is the measurement of specific antibodies, such as anti-tissue transglutaminase (anti-tTG) and anti-endomysial antibodies (EMA). Elevated levels of these antibodies can indicate the presence of celiac disease.
- Genetic Testing: Genetic testing for HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 genes may be done to confirm a genetic predisposition to celiac disease, as these genes are often present in affected individuals.
- Biopsy: If blood tests and genetic testing suggest celiac disease, an endoscopy is performed. During the endoscopy, a small tissue sample (biopsy) is taken from the lining of the small intestine. This sample is then examined for characteristic damage to the villi, which are small finger-like projections that help with nutrient absorption. Damage to the villi is a hallmark of celiac disease.
AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF CELIAC DISEASE
- In Ayurveda, on the basis of similarities of symptoms, the disease may be assumed equivalent to a disease named GRAHANI which has been explained in Ayurveda as agni dushti (the derangement of digestive fire).
- to Ayurvedic literature wheat is endowed with madhura rasa and sheet-snigdha-guru guna. It increases kapha dosha and brings about mandagni (weakness of digestive fire) which ultimately leads to formation of ama (toxins), responsible for existence of grahani dosha.
- SHANKH PRAKSHALANA – this is a yogic process to clean the alimentary canal by removing toxins with salt added water. A definite amount of salt added water is drunk in a sitting posture followed by performance of successive 5 asanas :
- Tadasana
- Tiryak tadasana
- Kati chakrasana
- Tiryak bhujangasana
- Udarkarshasana
- KUNJAL KRIYA – it is one of the six purificatory methods of Shatkarma and is meant for cleaning the stomach and the upper digestive tract.
- YOG BASTI – this is a type of therapeutic enema in which a series of total 8 enemas are inoculated to pacify one or more vitiated dosha.
MEDICINES USED IN TREATMENT OF CELIAC DISEASE :
- HARITAKI CHURNA
- AROGYAVARDHINI VATI
- AVIPATTIKAR CHURNA
- KAMDUDHA RASA
- PRAWAL PANCHAMRIT RAS
CAC TREATMENT OF CELIAC DISEASE
CELIAC CARE KIT
Chandigarh Ayurved Centre introduces “Coeliac care pack” for the treatment of this disease from root cause. This pack contains five ayurvedic medicines that are given below:
All products description in detail:
- Detox Premium Powder
These herbal sachets are prepared from ingredients such as Shankh bhasma, Sutshekhar ras, Parvalpishti, Shukta, Giloy, Kamdudha ras, Shvetparpati that gives calming effect on the stomach.
- Shankh bhasma: This ayurvedic bhasma is prepared from conch shell. The bhasma shows antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antacid, digestive stimulant properties. The problems like indigestion, heartburn, acid reflux, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, etc are easily treated with it.
- Sutshekhar ras: It is an ayurvedic preparation that maintains pitta dosha in the body. This ras provides effective results in abdominal pain, heartburn, nausea, fever, headache, epigastric tenderness, etc.
- Parval pishti: This pishti is prepared from coral calcium processed in rose water. It provides effective results in acidity, burning sensation, headache, etc.
- Shukta pishti: This pishti balances the pitta dosha in the body and removes all toxins from the body.
- Giloy satv: Giloy satv possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, carminative, immunomodulator, etc properties. It eliminates the ama from body hence provide good results in acidity problem.
- Kamdudha ras: This ras reduces heat, burning sensation, epigastrium tenderness, irritability, heartburn, and acidity.
- Shwet parpati: It is also effective in acidity.
Recommended Dosage: Take one sachet twice daily.
- Triphala Guggulu
Triphala Guggulu Tablet (3 fruits) tablet is a herbo mineral of size 650 mg and is a purely ayurvedic formulation. It is a polyherbal formulation comprising of three ingredients. Each fruit is thought to positively impact the body’s three doshas. Triphala Guggulu Tablet has been used in ayurvedic medicine since ages. It is thought to support bowel health and aid digestion. As an antioxidant, it is used to detoxify the body and support the immune system. It is known for its antibacterial, antioxidant, antiviral abilities. It is prescribed for a wide range of ailments like promoting oral health, treating fatigue and gastric distress, pneumonia, constipation, vaginal infections and most importantly boost the immune system.
Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablet twice daily with normal water.
- Liver Care Tablet
Liver Care Tablet is a herbo-mineral tablet of size 650 MG and is a purely ayurvedic formulation. CAC Liver Care tablets help in balancing Pitta dosha. These tablets stimulate the growth of new liver cells, promote functions of liver, and improve blood flow from the liver. It helps in the treatment of fatty liver, Liver cirrhosis, Hepatitis, hepatomegaly, and obstructive Jaundice.
Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablet twice daily with normal water.
- Digestion Support Tablet
This tablet is unique blend of best digestive herbs like kutaz chal, bilav, dhania, mustak, shankh bhasm, piper mint, and dadim that maintain natural Ph balance in the stomach and aid digestion of all types of food. The herbs present in this control acidity, gas, flatulence and constipation. These all complex problems are root cause of all diseases. If digestive system is proper it leads to proper assimilation of the nutrients in the body.
Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablet twice daily with normal water.
- Pitta Balance Tablet
Pitta doshas is responsible for digestion, metabolism, blood quality, thirst, appetite, eyesight, skin color and quality, body temperature, and mental abilities of intelligence and courage. Pitta doshas is composed of a fire element that digests almost everything that a person eats or drink. The eaten food is transformed into energy for the body to use in various functions of the body.
Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablet twice daily with normal water.
- Sheet Dhara Syrup
This herbal syrup is prepared from ingredients such as ajwain satav, mushak kapoor, peppermint, etc that naturally relieve the symptoms like bloating, blenching, nausea, vomiting, feeling of discomfort, etc. The regular use of this herbal syrup neutralizes the high acid content, reduces abdominal pain, & cramps.
Recommended Dosage: Take half teaspoonful of this syrup in half a cup of water. Drink this mixture twice daily on an empty stomach.
