By the way, doctor: Can I go back to eating wheat once my celiac disease is under control?

Published: March, 2010

Q. I have a mild case of celiac disease. Do the villi ever recover after wheat gluten is given up? I am really tired of gluten-free food!

A. In celiac disease, the gluten in wheat and several other grains triggers an immune response that attacks the villi that carpet the inside of the small intestine. The classic symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea. Anemia, osteoporosis, and other conditions may occur because nutrients aren't absorbed properly if the villi are damaged.

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