Celiac disease

Overview

Celiac disease is an immune reaction to eating gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye.

If you have celiac disease, eating gluten triggers an immune response in your small intestine. Over time, this reaction produces inflammation that damages the small intestine's lining and prevents absorption of some nutrients (malabsorption).

The intestinal damage can cause weight loss, bloating and sometimes diarrhea. Eventually, your brain, nervous system, bones, liver and other organs can be deprived of vital nourishment.

In children, malabsorption can affect growth and development. The intestinal irritation can cause stomach pain, especially after eating.

There's no cure for celiac disease — but following a strict gluten-free diet can help manage symptoms and promote intestinal healing.

Why choose Mayo Clinic

• Experience. Mayo Clinic doctors have treated thousands of people with celiac disease, including many complicated cases.
• Expertise. Celiac disease can be confused with other digestive disorders. Mayo Clinic has the expertise and latest imaging and laboratory tools to accurately identify the source of your problem and to design treatment plans for even rare diseases.
• Comprehensive care. Celiac disease can cause complications such as osteoporosis, neurological disease, infertility and intestinal cancer. Mayo Clinic's integrated practice gives you rapid access to the expertise needed to solve your problems.
• Time for you. Mayo Clinic doctors take the time to listen to you, to explain your options and answer your questions. Your Mayo treatment team includes dietitians with expertise in celiac disease who can help you learn to live gluten-free.
• New ideas. Mayo Clinic researchers are conducting clinical trials of new treatment options. You have access to the expertise of Mayo's clinician-researchers.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., ranks No. 1 for digestive disorders in the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings. Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., and Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., are ranked high performing for digestive disorders by U.S. News & World Report.