Celiac Disease: Understanding the Medical Term for Sprue

The medical term meaning sprue is celiac disease. Celiac disease is an immune reaction to eating gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. When people with celiac disease eat gluten, their immune system attacks the small intestine, damaging the villi that line the intestine and absorb nutrients. This can lead to a variety of symptoms, including diarrhea, weight loss, fatigue, and abdominal pain. Celiac disease can also cause anemia, osteoporosis, and other health problems.