One of millions of minute structures of the intestinal mucosa that project into the intestinal lumen for the purpose of absorbing passing nutrients into the blood and lymph system. Villus enzymes digest the sugars lactose,… 

Plural of villus, meaning the millions of minute structures of the intestinal mucosa that project into the intestinal lumen for the purpose of absorbing passing nutrients into the blood and lymph system. Villus enzymes digest… 

The inner surface lining of the intestines where the cells absorb nutrients.

A disorder that causes symptoms of blockage, but no actual blockage, such as constipation, vomiting, and pain. See obstruction.

The gut.

The bacteria, yeasts, and fungi that normally grow in the intestines and colon.

A doctor who treats children who have digestive diseases.

What Is Progressive Myoclonic Ataxia?

P rogressive myoclonic ataxia is a movement disorder characterized by defective muscular coordination of a muscle group with its origin in the brain.

The pathology is in the cerebellum.¹

Myoclonus in a context of progressive ataxia suggests one clinical form of the Ramsay-Hunt syndrome (progressive myoclonic ataxia, PMA), whose most frequent causes are: celiac disease, mitochondriopathies, some spino-cerebellar degenerations, and some late metabolic disorders.²

What Is Progressive Myoclonic Ataxia In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

1. Bhatia KP, Brown P, Gregory R, et al. Progressive myoclonic ataxia associated with coeliac disease. The myoclonus is of cortical origin, but the pathology is in the cerebellum. Brain. Oct 1995;118(Pt 5):1087-93. [↩]
2. Borg M. Symptomatic myoclonus. Neurophysiol Clin. 2006 Sep-Dec;36(5-6):309-18. [↩]

What Is Chorea?

C horea is a movement disorder characterized by brief, jerky, purposeless or writhing involuntary movements of the distal limbs, head, and face that may occur during voluntary movement or at rest.

Chorea has a large number of causes, including metabolic, structural, pharmacologic, genetic, and autoimmune factors. Despite extensive investigations, many patients remain undiagnosed.¹

What Is Chorea In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

1. Walker RH. Further Evidence for Celiac Disease-associated Chorea. Tremor Other Hyperkinet Mov (N Y). 2011;1. pii: tre-01-32-96-3. [↩]

What Are Tremors?

T remors are repetitive patterns of involuntary muscle contraction and relaxation originating from disorder in the basal ganglia of the brain. See image of hand tremor (to left) courtesy of Antonio Piedade.

Rythmic shaking may affect various parts of the body including hands, arms, legs, trunk, tongue, or vocal cords.¹

Causes include malnutrition, drug adverse effects especially antipsychotics, environmental toxins, and conditions such as Parkinson disease and thyroid disease, which causes toxic levels of thyroid hormone.

What Are Tremors In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

1. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tremor/detail_tremor.htm [↩]