40-year-old man diagnosed with celiac disease after suffering from frequent bloating and abdominal pain for 5 years

GĐXH - A man over 40 years old was admitted to the Vietnam - France Hospital in Hanoi with frequent bloating and abdominal pain and had been treated for more than 5 years with a diagnosis of "chronic gastritis" without results.

Bloating, abdominal pain, fatigue - watch out you have celiac disease

After being examined by doctors at the Hanoi French Hospital (HFH) and performing blood tests and a gastroscopy with biopsy, this 40-year-old man was diagnosed with celiac disease.

Here, another female patient, after more than 10 years of abdominal discomfort, diarrhea and bloating, was also discovered and treated for celiac disease.

Celiac disease, gluten intolerance and wheat allergy are often confused with each other, but they are different conditions and require separate treatments. Illustration photo

In fact, many people experience bloating, abdominal pain, fatigue, or other unexplained digestive problems after eating bread. According to medical professionals, this could be a symptom of celiac disease. Celiac disease, gluten intolerance, and wheat allergy are often confused with each other, but they are different diseases and require different treatments. Distinguishing these diseases and accurately diagnosing celiac disease requires extensive experience on the part of doctors.

Dr Akiko Tomonari, who treated both cases at the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the Hanoi French Hospital, said: "Early detection of celiac disease is important to prevent serious complications. If not diagnosed promptly, patients are at risk of problems such as malnutrition and may develop other autoimmune diseases. When the disease is diagnosed and patients adhere to a gluten-free diet, we see a marked improvement in their digestive health and quality of life."

Celiac disease - an easily overlooked digestive disease

Celiac disease is a chronic autoimmune disorder in which gluten consumption leads to damage to the small intestine. The immune system unintentionally attacks the lining of the small intestine when gluten is consumed, impairing the absorption of essential nutrients and leading to a variety of digestive symptoms as well as possibly increasing the risk of certain cancers.

Gluten is a protein found in grains such as wheat, barley and oats. It gives foods elasticity, stickiness and structure. Gluten is present in many products such as bread, pasta, cakes and many other processed foods.

Gluten is found in many products such as bread, pasta, cakes and many other processed foods. Illustration photo.

Common symptoms of celiac disease include chronic diarrhea, bloating, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss. However, many people experience symptoms that can mimic other conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome or functional gastrointestinal disorders. This makes celiac disease difficult to diagnose, as it is often confused with less serious conditions.

Although both celiac disease and gluten intolerance have similar digestive symptoms, there are important differences. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the lining of the small intestine, causing damage and impairing the ability to absorb nutrients. Gluten intolerance, on the other hand, does not involve the immune system and does not cause lasting damage to the intestine.

To diagnose celiac disease, doctors usually use a combination of blood tests to detect specific antibodies, followed by a biopsy of the small intestine to confirm the extent of damage. If diagnosed early, celiac disease can be effectively managed with diet, helping the intestines heal and preventing complications.

Dr. Akiko specializes in treating digestive diseases, digestive tract cancers, liver-pancreatic-biliary cancers and performing many specialized digestive procedures, examining a patient. Photo: BVCC

As an expert with nearly 20 years of experience in the field of digestive medicine, having worked at many major medical facilities around the world, Dr. Akiko Tomonari said: According to research, celiac disease affects about 1% of the global population. The incidence of this disease is higher in Europe, Oceania and North America than in other regions. However, recent studies show that the incidence of the disease is increasing in Asia, Africa and Latin America. This can be explained by changes in eating habits and increased awareness of the disease.

If you suspect you may have celiac disease or are experiencing unexplained digestive symptoms, you should seek timely medical help for proper diagnosis and treatment, to improve your quality of life and protect your health.

Source: https://giadinh.suckhoedoisong.vn/thuong-xuyen-bi-day-hoi-dau-bung-suot-5-nam-nguoi-dan-ong-40-tuoi-duoc-chan-doan-mac-benh-celiac-172250305152631977.htm