What are the treatments for coeliac disease?
Avoid foods that contain gluten
The main treatment is not to eat any food that contains gluten. The symptoms then usually go within a few weeks. The main foods to stop are wheat, barley, rye (and possibly oats). Many common foods contain these ingredients such as breads, pasta, cakes, pastries and some cereals. Although oats are possibly safe to eat, many people with coeliac disease have symptoms if they eat oats. This is probably because of contamination of commercially available oats with other grains. Potatoes, rice, maize, corn, fruit, dairy products and soya-based foods are fine.
You should get advice from a dietician. Coeliac UK also provides advice about which foods are suitable (see address below). You can buy special gluten-free flour, pasta, bread, etc. These are also available on prescription. There are many diet sheets with food alternatives and recipes. Unfortunately, many processed foods, ready-made meals, and 'fast-foods' contain gluten. Food labels will often say whether the food contains gluten or not.
Avoiding gluten is for life
If you eat gluten again, symptoms will return. Even small amounts of gluten can sensitise the gut again. To avoid symptoms, you must be strict about avoiding all foods with gluten. You may have to accept some restriction on lifestyle. However, the many foods that are allowed are varied and interesting.
Other treatments
In addition to avoiding gluten:
- You may also be advised to take some vitamin and calcium and iron supplements at least for the first six months following diagnosis. This is to replace any deficiencies, and to make sure you get enough of these whilst the gut lining is returning to normal.
- You should be immunised against the pneumococcus (a bacterium germ that can cause pneumonia). This is because some people with coeliac disease also have a poorly functioning spleen. This makes you more prone to infection from the pneumococcus bacterium. Therefore, immunisation helps to protect against this infection.
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