Coeliac disease is an inherited disorder that affects about 1 in 100 people.  For first degree relatives of a family member with coeliac disease the risk increases to 1 in 10.
 
Specifically, it is caused by the body's intolerance to Gluten - a protein found in wheat, rye and barley.  If an individual suffers from coeliac disease, when they consume foods containing gluten their body produces antibodies that attack their own tissues, and the small intestine becomes inflamed and damaged.

The severity varies and as a result of the damage the body can have a reduced uptake of nutrients leading to deficiencies of Vitamin B12, folate, calcium, and iron to name a few.
 
Symptoms of coeliac disease can be 'silent' but when they do occur they include tiredness, bloating, nausea, diarrhoea and constipation, weight loss, skin problems and joint pain.  Coeliac disease has also been linked with infertility.  Sometimes symptoms can be easily confused with other disorders such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and so testing for coeliac disease can rule this out.
 
The life-long condition can be easily diagnosed, starting with a simple screening test and if you are found to suffer from celiac disease the treatment is a gluten-free diet.