An estimated 46,000 people in Ireland have coeliac disease, however in recent years, the seriousness of this condition has been undermined, the Coeliac Society of Ireland has said.

This week is Coeliac Awareness Week and the society is aiming to increase awareness of the condition, including its symptoms and treatment.

People with coeliac disease are unable to digest gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. Symptoms can include weight loss, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea.

"There has been lots of talk in recent years about how gluten-free eating is just a ‘fad'. This completely undermines the seriousness of coeliac disease and the fact that, for those diagnosed with the disease, the only treatment is to follow a gluten-free diet," pointed out the society's CEO, Grainne Denning.

She said that while some people choose to eat gluten-free foods as part of their lifestyle, people with coeliac disease ‘must do so or they will suffer serious health consequences and severe pain'.

"This does not mean, however, that those with coeliac disease have to miss out on tasty food," Ms Denning insisted.

One of the aims of the awareness week is to show people that just because they have to eat gluten-free foods, does not mean their diet has to be boring or bland.

"Throughout Coeliac Awareness Week, we are aiming to show people that eating gluten-free does not need to be restrictive. We're inviting those with coeliac disease to come along to our events to meet the wider gluten-free community, learn some new recipes, and enjoy healthy walks and delicious food. We're also encouraging anyone who thinks they may be affected to contact their GP," Ms Denning said.

To kick off the week, which runs from May 11-17, celebrity chef, Adrian Martin, set a Guinness World Record for cooking the largest gluten-free potato pancake in Smithfield in Dublin on Monday morning. The pancake measured 1.5 metres in diameter.

For more information on coeliac disease or to see the full programme of events for Coeliac Awareness Week, click here