Celiac disease is a chronic, immune-mediated fine outlet enteropathy resulting from exposure to a protein called gluten, which is found in wheat, barley and rye in genetically predisposed animals.
Although celiac diseases mainly affect the small intestine, the range of clinical features is very wide with both intestinal and extraintestinal framework. It can be seen in all ages, in all races and in both sexes.
The only known effective treatment for celiac disease is lifelong exclusion of gluten from the diet. The aim of maintaining a gluten-free diet is to control the surgical restrictions, to eliminate the quality of life of the patients and to prevent the prevalence of diseases related to their diseases. Especially in very close babies, early diagnosis is important in catching children's growth and evaluating their long-term behaviors.
It is observed that the clinical family completely recovered and the serology returned to normal after the patients came and fully complied with the diet therapy.
It is difficult to give a true prevalence because it has a very wide clinical spectrum, may show atypical course, or have no symptoms. It is estimated that only 10 percent of these patients are diagnosed.
Celiac disease, as it is known, has a wide clinical spectrum in both children and adults. There is no system or organ in the organism that it affects. The fact that it causes limitations for all systems leads to very serious definition confusion. This condition is a universal problem for physicians attendants from all disciplines of the body.
Celiac disease should be considered in all kinds of health problems that do not go away, recur and cannot be named.
Undiagnosed patients are the invisible part of the iceberg. Among the diagnostic methods, blood tests are prediagnosed with serological special tests, but the definitive diagnosis is made by small intestine biopsy.
In celiac disease, which can be treated with diet, early diagnosis is extremely important in order to improve the quality of life of celiacs and to prevent the health costs to be lost. Celiac should settle into life with a gluten-free diet, not a disease but a lifestyle.
"Some Adult Metabolic Diseases (Thyroid, Osteoporosis, Gout) and Celiac Disease Control Program 2019-2023" has been prepared and implemented by our Ministry in cooperation with NGOs, Universities and the private sector. Within the scope of this program;
• In order to increase the access of patients to suitable products, studies are carried out with relevant public institutions and organizations, NGOs. An official letter was written to the Presidency of the Turkish Retailers Federation and the Turkish Federation of Restaurants, Kebabs, Pastries and Desserts within the scope of the efforts to establish suitable food outlets for celiac patients in markets and shopping malls in public places.
• An official letter was written to the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure and the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization to include gluten-free products in food vending machines located at airports, train stations and city bus stations in order to ensure easy access to gluten-free foods for celiacs.
• Materials have been prepared by our Ministry in order to raise awareness in celiac disease. Information brochures and poster works were carried out for the society to be used in health institutions, education, and for children to be used in schools and education centers.
• Students are informed about celiac within the scope of school health studies.
• The prepared 'Information Guide for Celiac Disease Teachers' was submitted to the Ministry of National Education.
• An official letter has been written to the Ministry of National Education and the Council of Higher Education to ensure that gluten-free products are available in canteens/cafeterias, to ensure that celiac students have easy access to gluten-free foods, and to include gluten-free menus in food vending machines and cafeterias.
• A 'Diagnostic-Treatment-Follow-up Guide for Family Physicians in Celiac Disease' has been prepared for family physicians. The definition, diagnosis and complications of celiac disease, treatment and follow-up of the disease are included in the guide. With this guideline, it is aimed to be a guide for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up process of the disease by family physicians in primary care.
• The National Menu Planning and Implementation Guide for Mass Nutrition Systems (Mass Consumption Places) and recommendations for celiacs who need to benefit from mass nutrition services and gluten-free menu samples are included in the guide, and the guide has been distributed.
• Monthly payment assistance is provided to these citizens by the Social Security Institution with the specialist physician's report prepared by the gastroenterology specialist in celiac disease.
• It is extremely important to provide healthy nutrition in extraordinary situations such as disasters that interrupt normal life. The Ministry of Health also provides support to the Red Crescent, which is the main solution partner of the Nutrition Service Group, within the scope of the National Disaster Response Plan studies in emergency situations. In this context, studies have been initiated in the disaster area in order to maintain a healthy diet after the earthquake on 6 February 2023 in our country. In this difficult process for our country, the nutrition of celiacs, together with all our citizens, has a special importance. These studies have been carried out in a coordinated manner since the beginning of the earthquake in cooperation with the Turkish Red Crescent, Celiac Associations, Donors and the Ministry of Health. Delivery of gluten-free products to celiacs is one of the studies that produce food suitable for celiacs in the mobile kitchen. The information document for celiacs, which can guide them in some problems that celiacs may encounter in the disaster area, has been published on the official website of the Ministry of Health.
• Our citizens are informed about celiac disease at the address www. Nutritionhareket@saglik.gov.tr. The mentioned documents can be accessed from the internet address.
SOURCE: https://hsgm.saglik.gov.tr/tr/haberler/9-mayis-dunya-colyak-gunu.html