Celiac disease, also called celiac sprue, is a condition that affects mostly the small intestine, although it can have consequences throughout the body. People with celiac disease experience digestive symptoms and potential long-term tissue damage as a result of the immune system attacking the inner lining of the small intestine.
In nearly all cases, this immune reaction is triggered by the ingestion of gluten, a group of proteins present in grains such as wheat, rye and barley.
