Wheat Free Now! Glossary

AGA: see anti-gliandin antibody.

Allergen: a substance that instigate an allergic reaction in the body.

Allergy: a hypersensitivity or intolerance to an allergen or substance that starts an adverse physiological reaction in the body. See also histamine; immunoglobulin E.

Amino Acid: one of the 25 protein acids that link together to form essential and non-essential proteins necessary for life.

Anencephaly: a birth defect which may result from a deficiency in full at acid during pregnancy, characterized by the absence of all but the most primitive parts of the brain, skull, and spinal cord.

Antibody: a protein which is produced by the body and attaches to and kills antigens which threaten the body.

Antiendomysial Antibody (eMA): this is one of the antibodies that someone with celiac disease will produce when gluten is ingested. This antibody response specifically to substances attacking the endomysium. It is one of the most important antibodies used for diagnosing celiac disease and for detecting the presence of gluten in the diet.

Antigen: any invading organism such as a fungus, a virus, bacteria, or parasite which threatens the body. See also antibody.

Anti-Gliadin Antibody (AGA): one of the antibodies that someone with celiac disease produces when gluten is ingested this is used for diagnosing celiac disease and detecting the presence of gluten in the diet.

Antihistamine: a medication used to counteract the effects of a histamine.

Antireticulin Antibody (ARA): one of the antibodies that a person with celiac disease produces when gluten is ingested. This is used as part of the diagnosis of celiac disease and detecting the presence of gluten in the diet.

Asymptomatic: showing few or no symptoms of a specific condition.

Asymptomatic celiac disease: having celiac disease-but showing no or few symptoms of the disease. Many people today with celiac disease are said to be asymptomatic.

Atrophy: a wasting away, or the munition in the size of a organ, cell, tissue, or part of the body.

Attention Deficit Disorder: a condition which is characterized by distractibility, inattention, but not hyperactivity as seen in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Autoimmune Disorder: the term used to describe a disorder where the body's immune system produces antibodies that gains its self, which results in the mistaken attack resulting in own tissue damage. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder.

B-Cell: a type of white blood cell, or lymphocyte, of the immune system, which is responsible for making antibodies. Allergens are detected in the blood by B. cells. See also T.-cell.

Biopsy: a medical procedure involving the removal of tissue which is alive, from inside the body. The purpose of which is to examine it microscopically for the purpose of diagnosing the disease.

Bleed Test: a procedure where the end of the finger is pricked with a needle and blood is squeezed out until the body naturally stops the flow.

B.R.A.T. Diet: a guide to commonly recommended by pediatricians for children suffering from diarrhea. It is a diet consisting exclusively of bananas, rice, apples and dry toast.

Casein: a protein in cow milk which is thought to also be difficult for Celiac's and those with gluten intolerance to digest.  Some research suggest that casein also inflames the villi.

Calcium: a mineral element ingested through the diet which is essential for many bodily functions, such as Nero transmission, proper heart function, and muscle contraction. Calcium is commonly found in dairy products and dark leafy green vegetables.

CD: See celiac disease.

Celiac Disease: a genetic autoimmune disorder where gluten intolerance leads to damage of the lining in the small intestine. It is estimated that the incidence of celiac disease is approximately 1 in 200 people worldwide. It is also known as coeliac disease (the more common UK spelling), gluten sensitive enteropathy, and nontropical sprue.

Cell: the smallest unit of living organism; the basic structure for organs and tissues.

Central Nervous System: what makes up the brain, and spinal cord and is responsible for controlling what we think and do with our motor functions.

Chronic Diarrhea: recurring, ongoing diarrhea. A condition where schools are excessively loose and liquid. Requires frequent bowel movements.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: a condition of severe and prolonged fatigue or tiredness which is not relieved by extended rest and generally not thought to be directly caused by any other pre-existing conditions.

Coeliac Disease: the alternate spelling of celiac disease, more commonly used in the United Kingdom.

Compensated-Latent Disease: a type or form of celiac disease where the condition is present-but not obvious, active or visible.

Conscious Sedation: a light sedation where the patient remains somewhat alert, and retains airway reflexes and has the ability to respond when spoken to.

Constipation: a condition in which the schools are excessively firm and difficult to excrete during infrequent bowel movements.

Crohn's Disease: an inflammatory bowel disease which is characterized by increased scarring inside the small intestine I'm or: as a result of chronic inflammation inside the digestive tract. Often characterized by pain, diarrhea and blood in the stool.

Dermatitis Herpetiformis (DH): a condition or disorder which is closely related to celiac disease and caused by gluten intolerance. It is characterized by external skin rashes in addition to damage of the small intestine.

DH: see dermatitis herpetiformis.

Diabetes: the autoimmune disease characterized by unstable blood sugar, which is often not regulated within limits considered healthy. Also characterized by excessive thirst and urination. Two types of diabetes exist type I diabetes called diabetes insipidus thought to be caused by a pituitary deficiency and type II diabetes called diabetes Mellitus which involves an insulin deficiency.

Diarrhea: liquid or excessively loose stools during frequent bowel movements. See also chronic diarrhea.

Disability: a term used to describe the delay in physical or cognitive development. The less politically correct, or older term "handicap" is also sometimes used.

Distended: a swelling due to pressure within, often used to describe a distended abdomen, which is a common symptom of people with gluten and weak in tolerance, in addition to celiac disease.

Dominant Trait: a characteristic or condition where offspring inherits because the dominant gene for that trade overrides any recessive gene it has been paired with.

EMA: see Antiendomysial Antibody.

Endomysial: involving the endomysium.

Endomysium: the sheaf of connective tissue which surrounds muscle fiber. For people with celiac disease, he anti-endomysial antibody responds by specifically attacking the endomysium in the small intestine.

Endoscope: a narrow flexible tube which is inserted into the body when performing an endless copy. Endoscopes are usually light it can have a small clipper at the end used to remove tissue samples for biopsies.

Endoscopy: the procedure in which an endoscope is inserted into a specific body cavity for visual examination. For the purpose of diagnosing celiac disease, an endoscope is threaded through the mouth into the small intestine, where the doctor can inspect in real time the small intestine I'm in addition to removing any tissue samples which can be later sent to a laboratory for biopsy.

Enzyme: any protein which speeds up the chemical change in the body-such as during the digestion of food.

Epilepsy: the condition characterized by frequent seizures where muscle contractions or changes in consciousness are caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

Failure To Thrive: a condition where a young child experiences below average increase in height or weight gain.

False-Negative: any test which results in incorrectly indicating no disease.

Fatty Stool Test: the test used to confirm the presence of celiac disease. In this test a school is examined for high fat content indicated by buoyancy in fluid. Indicating poor digestion.

Folic Acid: the synthetic form of folate which is a B. vitamin found naturally occurring in foods and also important during the formation of white and red blood cells.

Gastroenterologist: the medical branch which specializes in medical problems associated with the digestive system-gastroenterologists are qualified to diagnose and supervise the treatment of celiac disease.

Gastrointestinal: relating to the intestines and digestive system.

Gastrointestinal Distress: cramping, gas, bloating, pain, or diarrhea in the digestive system.

Gene: the basic unit of hermetically which are located along specific points of chromosomes. They are what make up DNA and protein.

Genetic: inherited.

GF: a commonly used acronym for gluten-free.

Gliadin: the part of protein in gluten containing grains which are soluble in alcohol-the prolamine portion of the gluten molecule. The type of reaction in individual with celiac disease often experience is is thought to be determined by the amount of gliadin in a given food.

Gluten: the protein found in barley, wheat, and rye.

Glutelin: a component of gluten which is a more simple protein found in the seeds of cereal grains. See also prolamine.

Gluten Antibody Blood Test: see serum antibody test.

Gluten-Free (GF): containing no gluten.

Gluten Intolerance: the inability to properly digest foods containing gluten.

Gluten Sensitive Enteropathy (GSE): Another name for celiac disease.

GSE: See Gluten Sensitive Enteropathy.

Gut: relating to the intestine, the bowel, or the whole elementary canal from the mouth to the anus.

Hemorrhage: excessive bleeding from a blood vessel.

Histamine: the chemical compound in the body which causes disagreeable symptoms of an allergic reaction. See also allergy, antihistamine, and allergen.

IBS: see irritable bowel syndrome.

IGA: see immunoglobulin a.

IGE: see immunoglobulin E.

IGG: see immunoglobulin G.

Immune System:  The network of molecules and systems in the body which produce antibodies and eliminate infections caused by bacteria and invading microbes. Defends the body against illness and disease.

Immunoglobulin A (IgA): present in secretions of the bodies mucous membranes. It is one of the antibodies that someone with celiac disease produces when gluten is ingested. It is also the most common and reliable antibody for detecting celiac disease and the presence of gluten in the diet. See also anti gliandin antibody.

Immunoglobulin G (IgG): the primary antibody which responds to invading organisms in the human body. This is also one of the antibodies that someone with celiac disease will produce when gluten is ingested. This is also often used during the diagnosis of celiac disease or to detect the presence of gluten in the diet.

Immunoglobulin E (IgE): one of the antibodies that is produced in response to an allergen when a person with celiac disease ingests gluten it is also used for diagnosing celiac disease and for often detecting the presence of gluten.

Infertility: the inability to conceive offspring.

Inherited: relating to traits such as eye color and height were certain conditions which have been passed down through genes from one generation to another. Often used synonymously with the term genetic.

Intestine: the passageway from the opening of the stomach to the opening of the anus. It consists of both the large and small intestines through which food travels and is digested.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): a bowel disorder which is characterized by REIT kerning abdominal pain, diarrhea, and cramping.

Lactase: the enzyme which is produced in the small intestine that breaks lactose down into two simple sugars, which helps the body to digest lactose.

Lactose: the sugar found in dairy products which is known to cause an allergic reaction. See also lactose intolerance.

Lactose Intolerance: the inability to die just or tolerate lactose, which results in gastrointestinal distress. Sometimes caused by the interruption in the production of lactase. It is thought to be common in people with untreated celiac disease.

Latent: meaning present but not active.

Lupus: an autoimmune disorder where the body develops antibodies they Dienst its own DNA cells-resulting in abnormalities in connective tissue and blood vessels.

Lymphocyte: the white blood cell of the immune system-which are divided into two major classes B.-cells and T.-cells.

Lymphoma: Re: a variety of cancers of the lymphatic system-lymphoma is characterized by uncontrollable multiplication of lymph cells, which results in symptoms such as swelling of the lymph nodes all over the body, fatigue, weight loss, fever and itching. People who have celiac disease are 50 to 100 times more likely to develop intestinal lymphoma than those who are unaffected by celiac disease.

Malabsorption: the state of being improperly nourished or poorly sustained by food substances required for life.

Miscarriage: the spontaneous end of pregnancy E4 fetus has developed sufficiently to survive by itself outside the womb.

Molecule: the smallest particle of an element or compound which can exist by itself in a free state in still be observed in its recognizable characteristics.

Mucosal Damage: the injury to the mucous membrane or of body cavities or their linings.

Multi-Genetic:  pertaining to any condition where several genes may each have different expressions and are involved in contributing to a specific trait. Celiac disease is thought to be multi-genetic.

Negative Predictive Value: the probability of no disease being present in a patient with a negative test result.

Non-Tropical Sprue: another name often used for celiac disease.

Osteomalacia: the condition which is caused by a deficiency in vitamin D, which leads to the loss of bone calcium. The result is soft-or weak bones and an increase in fractures. Often described as rickets.

Osteoporosis: a reduction in the amount of natural bone mass-which results in increased fractures occurring from minimal impact.

Pediatric Gastroenterologist: a gastroenterologist who specializes in children.

Pediatric G. I.: See pediatric gastroenterologist.

Phlebotomist: a medical professional who draws blood from any part of the body using a needle and tourniquet.

Positive Predictive Value: the probability of a disease being present in a patient with a positive test result. See also negative predictive value.

Prolamine: the simple protein found in plants which can't be digested in anything except strong alcohol solution. Prolamine is a major component of gluten. It is also spelled prolamin. See also gliandin and gluten.

Protein: the naturally occurring organic compound made up of amino acids, necessary for life in all living organisms.

 
Raynaud Syndrome: a condition in which small arteries in the toes and fingers have spasms and clamp down-which often results in loss of blood and coldness to the extremities. Also characterized by pale or patchy skin and numbness or tingling in extremities.

Recessive Trait: the characteristic or condition in human expression where it is inherited only when the gene for that trait is transmitted to the offspring from both parents. See also dominant trait.

Reticulin: the main protein of reticular fibers. Also known as collagen type III.

Rickets: the childhood disease caused by vitamin D deficiency. It is commonly characterized by abnormalities in the shape and structure of bones excessive body tenderness and in many cases an enlarged spleen and liver. See also osteomalacia.

Schizophrenia: a mental disorder which is characterized by disturbances in the content of thought-mood and sense of self, in addition to relationship with the outside world and people around you.

Sensitivity: an increased physiological response in a test subject to a specific stimuli.

Serological Test: a blood test.

Serum Antibody Test: a blood test which will detect the presence of specific antibodies to a particular antigen. In celiac disease, for example, the test aims to provide evidence of gluten in the body. This test is also known as the gluten antibody blood test.

Small Intestine: the section of the digestive tract which extends from the stomach down to the large intestine. The small intestine in is comprised of three sections the duodenum, the jejunum and the ileum.  All three sections are involved in and required for the absorption of nutrients. Because it is the first section, the duodenum is first to be affected.

Specificity: the probability of a negative test result in a patient without a specific disease.

Steatorrhea: the condition which is characterized by stools which are foul, frothy and sometimes floating-in addition to an unusually large amount of fat-the result of poor absorption in the small intestine. Very common in individuals with celiac disease. See fatty stool test.

Symptom: an indication that a condition or disease is noticed by a patient which can aid in concluding a diagnosis.

T-Cell: a type of white blood cell, or lymphocyte, it of the immune system which helps in destroying infected cells.

Thyroid Disease: the disease of the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is responsible for secreting hormones required to control body metabolism. Hypothyroid describes an under active thyroid gland. Hype her thyroid describes an over active thyroid gland.

Tissue Transglutenaminase (tTG): a blood test which measures EMA levels. This test is very specific to looking for the presence of antibodies which are released by people with celiac disease when gluten is ingested.

Villi: the small hair-like projections on the mucous membranes in the body which secrete mucus and absorb nutrients from digested food. They exist inside the mucosa of the small intestine.

Villous Atrophy: the shrinking or swelling of the villi as a result of the presence of antigens. People with celiac disease and gluten intolerance become malnourished, and dehydrated when the villi in the small intestine are damaged by the presence of gluten. Therefore they cannot perform their function causing the cascade of symptoms, conditions, and ailments related to the ingestion of wheat and gluten.  Occurs in people with gluten tolerance and celiac disease.

Vitamin D: the vitamin produced by the body when skin is exposed to UV light. Also known as the sunshine vitamin. Plays a very important role in the metabolism of calcium. See also rickets and osteomalacia.

White Blood Cell: one of the three types of blood cells in the blood. White blood cells are responsible for destroying harmful or foreign substances in the blood such as bacteria and viruses.