Every May 5th the “International Celiac Day” is commemorated. This disease presents a permanent intolerance to gluten, which is the protein fraction of 4 cereals: wheat, rye, barley and oats.
Celiac disease occurs in people who have a genetic predisposition to suffer from it, it is known that it appears more frequently among members of the same family. It can also occur at any time in life from infancy to late adulthood.
May 5 | International Celiac Day
If you frequently have any of these symptoms:
➡️Diarrhea
➡️Irritability
➡️Decreased appetite or weight loss
➡️AnemiaGo to a health center, early diagnosis is essential to avoid complications.
– Ministry of Health of the Nation (@msalnacion) May 5, 2022
It manifests itself through different symptoms and signs, depending on age:
In children: “chronic diarrhea” (malabsorption syndrome) usually occurs, repeated vomiting, marked abdominal distension, lack of muscle mass, weight loss, growth retardation, short stature, dry hair and skin, decalcification, loss of appetite, bad temper or irritability, alterations in dental enamel, dyslexia, autism, hyperactivity, etc.
In adolescents: abdominal pain, lack of encouragement, rejection of sports activities, delayed menstrual cycle and frequently short stature compared to siblings or noticeably smaller depending on what is expected due to the height of their parents, delayed puberty, constipation, angular cheilitis, thrush recurrent, iron deficiency anemia, headaches, etc.
In adults: osteoporosis, fractures, arthritis, diarrhea, constipation, malnutrition, spontaneous abortions, low birth weight newborns, impotence, infertility, weight loss, iron deficiency anemia, hair loss, irritable bowel, early menopause, asthenia, depression.
Advice on information and labeling of gluten-free foods
- Read the product labels carefully.
- It is advisable not to buy handmade products that are not labeled and cannot be verified if they are registered as Gluten Free.
- Find the symbol without TACC. According to the law, Gluten-Free food products that are marketed in the country must have the identification symbol printed on their containers or wrappers, in a clearly visible way.
If you have any doubts, you can check ANMAT’s online list of Gluten-Free foods here