By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Dr._Scot_Lewey]Dr. Scot Lewey

Gallbladder disease is a common condition typically affecting young and otherwise healthy individuals. Risk factors include obesity, diabetes, female gender, pregnancy, family history, rapid weight loss, liquid protein diets, and race or ethnic background. When typical symptoms of right sided upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and bloating occur within 15-90 minutes of eating, especially a fatty meal, gallstones are usually suspected. Ultrasound of the gallbladder is the first test ordered and will confirm the presence or absence of gallstones. If gallstones are confirmed then surgical removal of the gallbladder is recommended.

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Celiac disease, also known as gluten sensitive enteropathy is very common but frequently missed. It is an autoimmune disease of intestinal damage due to gluten in people who are genetically predisposed. Classic Celiac disease is diagnosed by abnormal blood tests and an abnormal
appearing intestine on biopsy and symptoms that resolve with a gluten free diet.

Several blood tests exist for Celiac disease. They have varying degrees of accuracy. Some are more sensitive, meaning they will be positive in milder forms of the disease but are not specific, meaning a positive test may not indicate Celiac disease. Others are felt to be very specific, meaning that when they are positive, it is almost certain you have the disease.

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Lactose, commonly known as milk sugar , may not be digested well if you are either born with absent or low levels of the enzyme lactase or if your intestine has been injured resulting in absent or low levels of lactase. Lactose is a disaccharide or two sugars linked. It is a combination of the two sugars, glucose and galactose. If intestines lack or are deficient in lactase you will not adequately digest lactose and you will experience gas, bloating, abdominal cramps and diarrhea shortly after eating something containing lactose.

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One of the symptoms many people experience frequently and most people have had sometime in their adult life is heartburn. The medical term for this is pyrosis, from the Greek word pyro meaning fire or heat. Heartburn is the classic symptom of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) or reflux. Most people have heard of these terms now because you can t sit through an hour of television these days without seeing at least one commercial if not several advertising antacids like tums or acid blockers like Pepcid AC and Nexium. Most people are not aware that heartburn is a common symptom of gluten intolerance or sensitivity.

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In this article, further detail is provided regarding the appearance of the intestine under the microscope in celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. The terms intra-epithelial lymphocytosis and crypt hyperplasia are defined and explained for those wanting to know what doctors are looking for when a biopsy of the small intestine is recommended during the evaluation of possible celiac disease.

Celiac disease biopsy: What is crypt hyperplasia and intra-epithelial lymphocytosis?

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