It can run in families and has a genetic basis, but the pattern of inheritance is complicated. The type of inheritance pattern that celiacdisease follows is called multifactorial (caused by many factors, both genetic and environmental). Researchers think that several factors must exist in order for the disease to occur. 

First, the patient must have a genetic predisposition to develop the disorder. 

Then, something in their environment acts as a stimulus to trigger their immune system, causing the disease to become active for the first time. 

For conditions with multifactorial inheritance, people without the genetic predisposition are less likely to develop the condition with exposure to the same triggers. Or, they may require more exposure to the stimulus before developing the disease than someone with a genetic predisposition. 

Several factors may provoke a reaction including surgery, especially gastrointestinal surgery; a change to a low fat diet, which has an increased number of wheat–based foods; pregnancy; childbirth; severe emotional stress; or a viral infection. This combination of genetic susceptibility and an outside agent leads to celiac disease.

For most people, the gluten-diet will stop the symptoms, heal intestinal damage, and prevent further damage.

Those with Celiac Disease must avoid gluten for the rest of their lives. Even a small amount of gluten can damage the small intestine.

• type 1 diabetes
• autoimmune thyroid disease
• autoimmune liver disease
• rheumatoid arthritis
• Addison's disease, a condition in which the glands that produce critical hormones are damaged
• Sjögren's syndrome, a condition in which the glands that produce tears and saliva are destroyed

• Celiac disease affects people in all parts of the world. 
• Originally thought to be a rare childhood syndrome, celiac disease is now known to be a common genetic disorder. 
• More than 2 million people in the United States have the disease, or about 1 in 133 people. 
  

Celiac disease is also more common among people with oter genetic disorders including Down syndrome and Turner syndrome, a condition that affects girls' development.

Despite these restrictions, people with celiac disease can eat a well-balanced diet with a variety of foods. They can use potato, rice, soy, amaranth, quinoa, buckwheat, or bean flour instead of wheat flour. They can buy gluten-free bread, pasta, and other products from stores that carry organic foods, or order products from special food companies. Gluten-free products are increasingly available from mainstream stores.

Those on a Gluten-Free diet need to look for such information on food labels, like the one pictured below.

If Celiac Disease is suspected, a blood test can be ordered. The blood test will look for antibodies the blood produced for gluten.