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Muscle Weakness 

Microscopic View of Gastric Biopsy Showing a Collagen Band Under the Surface Mucosal Cells. Courtesy Gastrolab.com
Microscopic View of Gastric Biopsy Showing a Collagen Band Stained Pink Under the Surface Mucosal Cells. Courtesy Gastrolab.com

What Is Collagenous Gastritis?

[dropcap]C ollagenous gastritis is a rarely reported stomach disorder characterized by the deposition of a subepithelial collagen band and accompanying inflammatory infiltrate in the stomach wall.

A subepithelial collagen band means that collagen, a tough fibrous protein, has abnormally accumulated under the surface layer of epithelial cells which form the mucosa lining the stomach.

The surface mucosa may remain intact and not show lymphocytosis and/or gastritis on endoscopic examination or it may become stripped off and bleed from entrapped capillaries. Biopsy is necessary to diagnose collagenous gastritis.1

Q: Why does collagen become deposited under the surface lining of the stomach?

A: It is thought that collagen deposition is preceded by inflammation and tissue damage. However, the natural history and pathogenesis of collagenous gastritis remain unclear.2

What Is Collagenous Gastritis In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

Sources:
  1. Jain R, Chetty R. Collagenous gastritis. Int J Surg Pathol. 2010 Dec;18(6):534-6. doi: 10.1177/1066896908329588. Epub 2008 Dec 22. [↩]
  2. Leung ST, Chandan VS, Murray JA, Wu TT. Collagenous gastritis: histopathologic features and association with other gastrointestinal diseases. Am J Surg Pathol. 2009 May;33(5):788-98. doi: 10.1097/PAS.0b013e318196a67f. [↩]

Cataracts

Glucose Meter Reading Showing Hypoglycemia. Courtesy Abbott.
Glucose Meter Reading.Courtesy Abbott.

What Is Diabetic Instability?

[dropcap]D iabetic instability, also called brittle diabetes, is poor control of blood sugar characterized by frequent rise (hyperglycemia) and fall (hypoglycemia). These fluctuations can be life-threatening and cause unnecessary complications.

Q: What are complications in diabetes?

A: Complications of diabetes include any/all of the following:

  • Peripheral neuropathy that causes burning, numbness, or tingling in the extremities.
  • Skin infections and ulcers that do not heal and can lead to amputation of toes, feet or legs.
  • Damage to retina that can progress to blindness.
  • Cataracts and glaucoma that impair vision and can cause blindness.
  • Increased susceptibility to serious infections of the genitourinary tract, lung and upper respiratory tract that can become systemic and life-threatening.
  • Kidney disease that can lead to kidney failure.
  • Heart disease that can lead to heart failure.
  • Vascular disease that can lead to stroke.
  • Impaired motility in digestive tract that can lead to dyspepsia and constipation.
  • Pregnancy complications.
  • Shortened life expectancy.

The main causes of brittleness include malabsorption, certain drugs (alcohol, antipsychotics), defective insulin absorption or degradation, defect of hyperglycemic hormones especially glucocorticoid and glucagon, and above all delayed gastric emptying as a result of autonomic neuropathy.1

What Is Diabetic Instability In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

Sources:
  1. Vantyghem MC, Press M. Management strategies for brittle diabetes. Ann Endocrinol (Paris). 2006 Sep;67(4):287-96. [↩]

Peripheral Neuropathy: definition

Damage to one or more peripheral nerves characterized by impaired nerve transmission causing burning, tingling or numbness of hands and feet and resulting from any of these nutrient deficiencies: folate, niacin (B3), thiamin (B1), pyridoxine (B6),… 

Muscle Wasting: definition

A disorder of muscle tissue resulting mainly from any of these conditions: protein deficiency, vitamin C deficiency, thiamin deficiency (B1), and in the disorder, dermatomyositis. Click for full description.

Muscle Weakness: definition

Impaired status of muscle function mainly resulting from  nutritional deficiencies including any of these: protein, magnesium, thiamin (B1), niacin (B3), potassium, phosphorus, selenium, and vitamin D,  or due to chronic fatigue syndrome or hypoglycemia, and if…