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Chronic Fatigue / Lassitude / Tiredness

What Are Erosions In The Second Part Of The Duodenum?

E rosions in the second part of the duodenum typically are superficial excoriations (sores) in the mucosal lining that do not penetrate into the muscle layer as does an ulcer.

Of note, most erosions develop in the first part of the duodenum rather than the second part.

Q: Are duodenal erosions serious?

A: Yes duodenal erosions are serious and can be life-threatening for the following reasons:

  • Duodenal erosions may occur together with gastric erosions, therefore they can jointly induce massive bleeding.
  • Duodenal erosions may be associated with duodenal ulcer but hemorrhage originates from the erosion and the ulcer itself does not bleed.
  • Duodenal erosion in itself might induce bleeding. The intensity of bleeding, if there is no hemorrhage from other places, is not so severe, as the one originating from gastric erosions.1

What Are Erosions In The Second Part Of The Duodenum In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

Sources:
  1. Preisich P, Farkas I, Konyár EJ. The role of duodenal erosions in the occurrence of upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage. Scand J Gastroenterol Suppl. 1989;167:36-8. [↩]

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 

Intestinal Edema in an 11 Month Old Baby. Courtesy: Nature.com
Intestinal Edema of Duodenum in an 11 Month Old Baby. Courtesy: Nature.com

What Is Small Intestinal Edema?

S mall intestinal edema is characterized by fluid accumulation within the intestinal mucosa so that the intestinal wall appears thick and swollen.

Intestinal edema hampers peristalsis that can result in pain and gas build-up. Peristalsis is the normal rhythmic muscular wave-like action that moves residue along the gastrointestinal tract.

Q: What part of the small intestinal lining is swollen?

A: Any part of the small intestine may be affected. Some causes of edema include allergic reactions, enteropathies such as celiac disease, cow milk enteropthy, yeast infection, parasite infection, inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease, and certain medications.

For example, the anti-hypertensive drugs known as Angiotension Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors can cause intestinal angioedema and therefore the patient may present with gastrointestinal complaints.1

What Is Small Intestinal Edema In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

Sources:
  1. LoCascio E J,  Mahler  S A, and  Arnold TC. Intestinal Angioedema Misdiagnosed as Recurrent Episodes of Gastroenteritis. West J Emerg Med. Sep 2010; 11(4): 391–394. [↩]

Weight Loss, Unexpected/ Inability To Gain Weight

unexpected weight loss celiac disease symptomWhat Is Unexpected Weight Loss?

Unexpected weight loss is unintentional loss of body mass composition or inability to gain weight marked by decreased serum proteins and increased stool fat.1

What Is Unexpected Weight Loss In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

Sources:
  1. Krause’s Food, Nutrition, & Diet Therapy. 10th Edition. Kathleen Mahan, Sylvia Escott-Stump. 2000. W.B. Saunders Company. [↩]

Pancreatic Insufficiency

Model of coagulation factors found in blood.
Model of coagulation factors found in blood.

What Are Low Coagulation Factors?

C oagulation factors II, VII, IX, X found in blood are essential for normal blood clotting.  Low coagulation factors on blood assay indicate an altered secondary coagulation disorder that is characterized by impaired clot formation.

Each coagulation factor must be present in sufficient quantity in order for normal clotting to occur, but the level required is different for each factor. Results are frequently reported as a percentage with 100% being normal. For example, a factor VIII that is 30% would be considered abnormally low.1

The production of the coagulation factors II, VII, IX, and X requires vitamin K without which the factors will be low.

Q: What happens when coagulation factors II, VII, IX, and X are low?

A: When any of the blood clotting factors are lacking or not working properly, the blood tests prothrombin (PT) and partial thromboplastin time (PTT) will be abnormally prolonged. Prothrombin and partial thromboplastin time measure the time it takes for blood to clot.  When you bleed, the body launches a series of activities that help the blood clot. This is called the coagulation cascade. There are three pathways to this event. These tests looks at coagulation factors, found in two of these pathways.2

What Are Low Coagulation Factors In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

Sources:
  1. http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/coagulation-factors/tab/test [↩]
  2. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003653.htm [↩]

Diabetic Instability 

Vertebrae. Courtesy FreePik.com
Vertebrae. Courtesy FreePik.com

What Is Elevated Bone Alkaline Phosphatase?

E levated bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP) is a laboratory result that indicates an abnormal blood level of this bone enzyme.

A bone alkaline phosphatase blood level is one of the most frequently used biochemical markers of bone formation.

Q: Why is the purpose of  bone alkaline phosphatase?

A: Bone alkaline phosphatase is produced by bone cells called osteoclasts in normal bone maintenance for the purpose of breaking down old or damaged bone so that other bone cells called osteoblasts can fill in the excavated areas with new bone. This process keeps bone stong and healthy.

Elevated bone alkaline phosphatase shows that more bone is being broken down than is being replaced. It can be caused by hyperparathyroidism, bone tumors from cancer, and malnutrition.

What Is Elevated Bone Alkaline Phosphatase (BALP) In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar)

hypoglycemia symptom of celiac disease and glutenWhat Is Hypoglycemia?

Hypoglycemia means the level of glucose within cells is too low to meet metabolic needs of the body for this essential sugar.

Q: What are the metabolic needs for glucose?

A: Glucose is the most important simple sugar in human metabolism mainly because it is the primary source of energy for most cells of the body.

Energy contained in the glucose molecule is obtained by the body from its reaction with oxygen (oxidation). This oxidation reaction occurs in power producing mitochondria structures that are located within cells.1

Hypoglycemia is characterized by alterations in neurologic, metabolic and muscular functions:

  1. Neurologic function because brain tissue is particularly dependent on glucose for energy,
  2. Metabolic function of glucose-dependent tissues which include red blood cells, white blood cells, bone marrow, eye, inner heart of the kidney, and peripheral nerves because these tissues cannot metabolize fatty acids as an alternate source of energy, and
  3. Muscle function because muscle cells continually require glucose for energy production.

Glucose is made available to cells through the regulating action of insulin, a hormone produced by specialized cells located on the surface of the pancreas.

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

Sources:
  1. http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/organic/sugar.html accessed 11 14 12 [↩]

Cachexia

Cachexia with Wasted Muscles, Weakness, and That Developed over 3 Years Time.
Cachexia with Wasted Muscles, Weakness, Weight Loss, Anemia, Skin Hemorrhages, Anorexia. GFW

What Is Cachexia?

Cachexia is a state of ill health involving deteriorating body composition that is characterized by general malnutrition and loss of lean tissue such as muscle.

Q: What are typical findings in cachexia?

A: Arm muscle triceps (the muscles at the back of the upper arm), skin folds, subscapular skin folds, fat area index, and bone mineral content are significantly lower than normal.

Cachexia may develop in protein-losing enteropathy such as celiac disease, chronic or severe infection such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, malaria, or many chronic diseases such as heart failure and cancer.

Cachexia can develop in persons of any age.

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

Increased Appetite

increased appetite gluten celiac symptomWhat Is Increased Appetite?

Increased appetite is the increased desire for food.

Q: What causes appetite.

A: Appetite is caused by hunger.

The brain monitors nutritional needs and employs a hunger mechanism to alert us when fresh food is needed. Hunger is mainly caused by the need for protein. Low blood sugar also triggers hunger.

The tempting sight, smell, taste and expectation of food stimulates involuntary sensory nerves. By reflex action, these sensory nerves cause muscle and sensory activity in various digestive organs. Salivary glands in the mouth begin to secrete saliva as stomach glands and muscles become active.1

What Is Increased Appetite In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

Sources:
  1. Cleo Libonati. Recognizing Celiac Disease. Gluten Free Works Publishing, Fort Washington, PA 19034 USA [↩]

Carbohydrate Malabsorption

What Is Carbohydrate Malabsorption? Carbohydrate malabsorption is a digestive disorder characterized by the inability to properly digest and absorb carbohydrates within the small intestine to supply needed energy to the body. Q: What carbohydrates should be normally… 

Glucose Deficiency

DSCN2943aWhat Is Glucose?

Glucose is the most important simple sugar in human metabolism because it is the primary source of energy for most cells of the body and is particularly required by the brain.

Q: Where does glucose get energy?

A: The energy in glucose originally comes from the sun. Plants capture and bind the sun’s energy by means of photosynthesis. We eat the plants directly or indirectly by eating food from animals  that have eaten plants.

Energy from glucose is obtained in the body from its reaction with oxygen (oxidation) that occurs in power producing mitochondria within cells.1

Humans cannot live without an adequate supply of glucose to the body.

What Is Glucose Deficiency In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

Sources:
  1. http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/organic/sugar.html accessed 11 14 12 [↩]