Celiac Disease and Gluten
Causes– Celiac disease is caused by a reaction of a gluten protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and oats. Basically it is an allergic reaction to the gluten in your diet. It affects one in 133 people who don’t even know they have it.
Symptoms– There are many symptoms associated with this disease, bloating, gas, diarrhea, weight loss or gain, fatigue or weakness, depression, headaches, infertility, bone pain, and anemia. For kid’s symptoms are failure to thrive, unusual behavior and distended abdomen. But sometimes they have no symptoms, it is a genetic disease, relatives who have it are at an increased risk.
Diagnosis– You can find out through several blood tests and a biopsy of the small bowel to see if the absorbing lining is damaged.
Treatment– The only treatment for this disease is to follow the gluten – free diet. When gluten is removed from your diet, the small intestine heals. Within a few days you will see improvement in your condition. If the gluten – free diet does not work, you will have to receive nutritional supplements through IV.
Problems That Accompany CD– Several other problems may occur if you have Celiac Disease, such as, osteoporosis, miscarriage, birth defects, cancer, thyroid, type one diabetes, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjogren’s syndrome.
Living with Celiac Disease– Just because you have to eat specific things doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the things you love to eat. Many stores or companies carry your favorite foods in gluten – free products. You can continue eating your favorite fruits and vegetables because they do not contain gluten.
Dietitian– A dietitian or healthcare professional is someone you should see. They specialize in food and nutrition and can help you put together your gluten – free diet. There are also support groups for people who just found out about their disease and have to make a huge adjustment in their life.
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