celiac disease

[ see-lee-ak di-zeez ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. a hereditary digestive disorder in which eating gluten causes an autoimmune response within the small intestine, damaging the organ and leading to symptoms such as stomach pain, constipation or diarrhea, fatty stools, and malnutrition.

celiac disease

/ sē′lē-ăk′ /

1. A gastrointestinal disease characterized by an inability to absorb the protein gluten, resulting in diarrhea, the passage of stools having a high fat content, and nutritional and vitamin deficiencies. Individuals with celiac disease must avoid ingesting products made from grains containing gluten, including wheat, rye, barley, and oats.

Word History and Origins

Origin of celiac disease¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Found in wheat, rye and barley, this protein can cause problems for the approximately 7 percent of Americans with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

From Washington Post

Oats don’t naturally contain any gluten, but research suggests the vast majority of the bags you see in supermarket aisles have high enough levels to poison someone with celiac disease.

From Popular-Science

If they come from a certified facility and the packaging notes it, oats can also be acceptable for those with celiac disease or other gluten-free needs.

From Washington Post

Johnson points out that those with celiac disease must completely avoid gluten to prevent long-term intestinal damage and other negative side effects.

From Outside Online

Few people knew about celiac disease in the 1950s and 1960s.

From Science News For Students

But it turns out that patients with celiac disease actually might, and I was in error when I suggested otherwise.

From The Daily Beast

Though she knows the day will never come, Nancy sometimes fantasizes about life without celiac disease.

From The Daily Beast

A tiny sliver of the population has celiac disease or medically diagnosed gluten sensitivity.

From The Daily Beast

For people with celiac disease, consuming gluten triggers an immune response in the digestive system.

From The Daily Beast

Anyone who suffers from gluten sensitivity, intolerance, or celiac disease knows how troublesome the problem is.

From The Daily Beast