What is Celiacs disease?
Celiacs /Coeliacs disease is known as an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune diseases are characterized by the immune system attacking its own tissue. Each autoimmune disease is different in terms of which tissues are attacked. For Celiacs disease it is the villi in the small bowel. In Celiacs disease, the immune system reacts to gluten, thinking it is an invader….similar to how it reacts to a virus.
So what is the significance of Celiacs disease?
Celiacs disease can cause a multitude of secondary health problems. It can lead to other autoimmune diseases and mal-absorption problems. It can also heighten the risk of gastrointestinal cancers.
What are the symptoms?
Not all people have symptoms whereas others will have range of symptoms such as (but not restricted to):
· Boating, gas, or abdominal pain
· Fatigue, weakness or lack of energy and motivation
· Diarrhea or constipation or both
· Behavior changes/depression/irritability
· Unexplained weight loss or weight gain
· Missed menstrual periods
· Pale, foul-smelling stool
· Unexplained anemia
· Bone and joint pain
So what is gluten?
Gluten is a protein found in barley, wheat, rye and oats.
So what can I do about it?
If you have been diagnosed with Celiacs disease, you will need to go on a gluten free diet, and stick with it for the rest of your life. This may seem daunting at first, but as you get used to it, it will become second nature. Strip your pantry and fridge bare of all items with gluten in them- give it away to friends, and stock up on all the gluten free versions of the foods you gave away. Supermarkets these days have gluten free options and often have a health food aisle. Otherwise try and find a gluten free store. BIG note…… gluten is in many things you would never dream of, such as lipstick and toothpaste. So make sure you read the labels properly. If in doubt you can always email the manufactures this has worked for me, and they are most of the time happy to help you out. Ina few months time, I will write a comprehensive resource about this.
I highly recommend joining the Celiac Society of Australia. It costs around $100 to join, but it is well worth it, they send an introduction kit with food samples, a great ingredient book to help identify gluten items in the supermarket and information on the disease. The best $100 you will spend.
There are also many great books and websites out there as well.
Try these books:
Gluten Free, Hassle Free by…. – This book is not what I expected, I thought it would be full of recipes. However it is a GREAT resource, and makes Gluten Free eating seem not as scary. Provides great examples of how to substitute certain ingredients in your favourite recipes for the gluten free versions.
More book reviews coming soon
Try out the following blogsites: links coming soon
Try these websites: links coming soon
So what are the other related disease and problems?
Celiacs disease has been linked to other autoimmune disorders, such as Hoshimotos hypothyroidism.
If you have Celiacs disease, you should also ask your doctor to test your Vitamin B-12 levels, folate and Vitamin D levels. As B-12 cannot be absorbed by a celiac bowel and often celiac have B-12 deficiency or B-12 related anemia. Please see my page on B-12 deficiency for further information. Dermatitis Herpetiformis is a skin disorder related to Celiacs disease.
How common is Celiacs disease?
Different resources say different things. The majority say something between 1 in 130-150 people. And supposedly 75% of those do not even know they have the disease. With other research highlighting that it is more prevalent in those that have Finnish or Irish decent. (let me find that research and confirm it again though)
Is it hereditary?
Yes it is, often if you have celiacs disease, your children, siblings and either your mum or dad will have celicacs. It is important for the whole family to get tested, just in case. In my case…. I’m the only one with it!
Is there a cure?
Sadly, no. Once a Celiac, always a Celiac. However there are currently trials for a vaccine. Links for information regarding the trials can be found below.
How long on a gluten free diet will I feel better?
Everyone is different. If you have gluten intolerance and not Celiacs disease, its quite possible you will feel better within days of starting the diet. AS for those with Celiacs disease, it can be anything between 3 months and 2 years. Everyone is different, and everyone has a different amount of damage that has been done to the villi in the small bowel, which will take time to repair itself. When I was diagnosed I searched high and low for definite answer to this question, and the truth it……..there isn’t one.
Further information, resources and links to research:
Research: Links to come soon
General information: Links to come soon
Celiac Vaccine information: Links to come soon
Please note this page is not completed yet and I will be adding more information as soon as I can.
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