Celiac Ayurvedic Treatment

This disease causes allergy/ immune response following consumption of food items containing gluten (a type of protein in wheat, barley etc). It is also known as Celiac sprue or gluten sensitive enteropathy. Immune reaction begins. Small intestine is the affected part as its lining is damaged resulting in poor absorption of nutrients (malabsorption). Celiac disease interferes with growth in children due to malabsorption. The cause of the disease is unknown. Celiac disease cannot be cured, but following a gluten-free diet can prevent the symptoms.

Celiac Signs and Symptoms

Celiac disease causes symptoms like abdominal discomfort, bloating, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, weight loss etc in adults. Along with these symptoms, there may be reduced growth with age, foul smelling stool, tooth problems, irritability, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) etc in children. Other symptoms in adults include reduced bone density, anaemia, joint pain, headache, skin rashes, mouth ulcer, spleen disorder, numbness of hands etc.

Celiac Ayurvedic Analysis

This condition is not directly mentioned in Ayurveda, but there are glimpses of description about certain food allergies. Vyadhikshamatwa is the power of fighting against disease causing agents and foreign bodies. The reason behind development of discomforts and diseases in some people following consumption of certain food items is problems with their Vyadhikshamatwa. Those having a strong Vyadhikshamatwa will not have any issues with those food articles that cause discomforts in others. This disease is more among obese, very lean, those having depleted mamsa (muscle)/ rakta (blood)/ asthi (bone) tissues etc.

Other factors that contribute to discomfort in abdomen following consumption of certain food are agnimandya (reduced power of digestion) and srotorodha (blockage of channels). They cause poor digestion and body nourishment. Pachaka and Ranjaka pitta along with samana vata are deranged here which are involved in proper digestion and assimilation of food.

Celiac Causative Factors (Ayurveda)

Why some people have a low Vyadhikshamatwa (immune power) by birth is not known, but it may be due to their prakrti (body constitution). Prakrti cannot be changed as it is assigned from birth. Sometimes, it may be due to beejabhaga avayava dushti (genetic factors) and it is also a non-modifiable factor. The vitiation of Pachaka & Ranjaka pitta and samana vayu causes agnimandya. The possible reasons are intake of unwholesome diet, unaccustomed diet, food that cause irritation of intestine (teekshna/ vidahi etc). People with pitta prakrti are having a strong intestinal sensitivity, and those with kapha prakrti basically have a low power of agni.

Possible Complications of Celiac Disease

The common complications are malnutrition, bone thinning, lactose intolerance (allergy to milk and dairy products), infertility, miscarriage, cancer etc.

Other systemic diseases and precautions to be taken

In a skin disease called Dermatitis herpetiformis, there will be rashes with itching over elbow, knee, buttock, scalp etc with changes in the lining of small intestine. This occurs due to gluten intolerance and is not seen in celiac disease. Check whether there is other disease like diabetes, autoimmune thyroid disease, chromosomal anomalies like turner syndrome, Addison’s disease, or family history of celiac disease/ dermatitis herpetiformis.

Celiac Disease Management with Ayurveda Treatment

It cannot be cured completely, but the treatments are focused on improving Vyadhikshamatwa & agni, and removing srotorodha. Internal medicines are provided for this purpose which can also pacify the damage of the intestinal lining. Other treatments include snehapana (internal administration of medicated ghee), swedana (eg: steam bath, shirodhara), virechana (purgation therapy), nasya (nasal instillation of medicine), vasthi (enema with suitable medicine) etc. Thereafter, rasayana therapy is provided which can improve the immunity. Psychotherapy helps in reducing mental stress associated with this disease.

Diet

Avoid wheat, barley, rye etc that contain gluten. Include corn, rice, pulses, nuts, fruits, tubers etc diet.

Exercise

Mild to moderate exercise on a regular basis helps improving the health of intestinal wall and improve immunity. Yoga, meditation and pranayama are effective in boosting immune power.

Celiac Preventive Aspects in Ayurveda

As the causative factor is no known, celiac disease is not preventable. People who have a family history of this disease are recommended to do a thorough medical check up and then follow a healthy diet plan as per the physician’s advice. Know which food causes abdominal discomfort and avoid it.

Importance of Diet

Diet plays an important role in the manifestation and prevention of celiac disease. Avoid the triggering foods is the best option to prevent the disease.

Lifestyle

Those food items that cause irritation to the intestine should be avoided. Use the alternative food for nutrient supplement. Improve Vyadhikshamatwa by eating suitable food (eg: gooseberry) and rasayana therapy.