glutenfreeforever
 
 
 
Here are some facts... Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that causes damage to your small intestine and you can't digest any grain containing gluten, which is wheat, rye, barely and oats (oats are due to cross contamination when grown & packaged). Classic symptoms are diarrhea, weight loss (or gain), bloating, gas, foul smelling stools, short stature, etc.. There are many other symptoms and there are some people that have NONE! If one of your parents, children, or siblings are celiacs....your chances are 1 in 56 or even 1 in 22 you may have it. If any of your second degree relatives are celiacs, chances are 1 in 39 that you've got it. Celiac disease is NOT and has NEVER BEEN RARE, JUST UNDER DIAGNOSED..... ◦ Yes, it is genetic - one of your parents passed it on to you. All first degree relatives should also be tested. ◦ It is lifelong..YOU DO NOT OUTGROW CELIAC. ◦ The only "cure" is a gluten free diet. You risk chances of diabetes, cancer and many other problems including infertility. ◦ 1 in 133 americans have it and do not even know it. ◦ You can have one symptom, ten symptoms or NO SYMPTOMS. ◦ Here are some symptoms....................... gas, recurring abdominal bloating and pain, chronic diarrhea or constipation , pale-foul smelling or fatty stool, weight loss or gain, fatigue, unexplained anemia (low count of red blood cells causing fatigue), bone or joint pain, osteoporosis, behavioral changes, tingling numbness in the legs (from nerve damage), muscle cramps, seizures, missed menstrual periods (often because of excessive weight loss), infertility , recurrent miscarriage, delayed growth, failure to thrive in infants, pale sores inside the mouth called apthous ulcers, tooth discoloration or loss of enamel , itchy skin rash called dermatitis herpetiformis, etc................ ◦ A person with Celiac disease that has NO SYMPTOMS is still at risk for the complications of CD, including malnutrition. ◦ Researchers are studying the reasons why CD affects people differently. Some people develop symptoms as a child, others as adults. ◦ Recently, researchers discovered that people with CD have higher than normal levels of certain autoantibodies in their blood. Antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system in response to substances that the body perceives to be threatening. Autoantibodies are proteins that react against the body's own molecules or tissues. To diagnose CD, physicians will usually test blood to measure levels of IgA (Immunoglobulin A), tTGA (anti-tissue transglutaminase) and AEA (IgA anti-endomysium antibodies). They confirm it with an endoscopy (biopsy) once they see that your levels are elevated. You also have to use an experienced lab that knows how to handle CD blood work. Many labs make mistakes because they are not well informed on CD. ◦ THE THING THAT IS THE MOST UPSETTING IS THAT I KNOW OF SIBLINGS THAT HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY THEIR DOCTORS NOT TO GET TESTED BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT SHOWING SIGNS, EVEN WHEN THEIR SIBLINGS HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED ALREADY.. Our doctors need to be educated about Celiac - it is not rare! ...last updated 11/02/08
 Welcome ! Your not alone. 1 in 133 Americans have it!
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