| Pronunciation | SEE-lee-AK dih-ZEEZ |
| Definition | An autoimmune disorder in which eating gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley) causes the immune system to damage the small intestine, making it unable to absorb nutrients. It is a genetic disease that sometimes becomes active for the first time after surgery, pregnancy, childbirth, viral infection, or extreme stress. Also called sprue. |
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