Digestive problem often goes untreated
Celiac disease is a medical condition in which the absorptive surface of the small intestine is damaged by a substance called gluten (a substance found in wheat, oats, barley, rye, etc). This causes the body to be unable to absorb nutrients: protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, which are necessary for good health.
Symptoms may appear together or singularly in children or adults. Common symptoms are anemia, chronic diarrhea, weight loss, fatigue, cramps and bloating, irritability and depression. Osteoporosis is a frequent complication. Sufferers may develop an intense burning and itching rash called dermatitis herpetiformis.
Patients are often misdiagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome. Positive diagnosis can be attained from a colon biopsy or a blood test. However, CD is most often and easily self-diagnosed. After only a week of a gluten-free diet, people with CD see remarkable results.
There is no cure for CD, and it requires a lifetime gluten-free diet. While this is a challenge since gluten is found in many processed foods, the results are worth the effort.
There are many Web sites with information about CD. CD is not uncommon, yet it is often undiagnosed.
Carol Dunn
Greensboro
Comments (6)
To report abuse of the comment feature on this site, please use the feedback form at the bottom of any page.
You really need to get out more often.
Posted on January 2, 2006 2:19 PM
Really don't understand your comment. Please explain.
Posted on January 2, 2006 4:09 PM
Ms. Dunn,good letter. Some good info in there.
World Traveler (demon deacon) doesn't know how to respond to a letter unless it contains the phrases "Bush lied", "Karl Rove needs to be put in jail",or "war for oil".
Posted on January 3, 2006 2:57 PM
Carol,
I apologize as my response was sarcastic and unnecessary. You have a thoughtful piece and I am sorry for my words.
When I first read it, I was not in the best of moods and it struck me as, well, as funny. I laughed to myself because it was such a departure from the usual divisive topics that are found on the ed page.
Please acccept my apologies.
Posted on January 3, 2006 3:35 PM
Thanks for the explanation, DD. I wrote this because I have a child and a friend who were diagnosed as adults, one by a test and one by self-diagnosis.
It has been a life changing experience for my child and all of our family. Years of pain, both physically and emotionally, have ended just by avoiding gluten. CD is not an alergy; gluten is like a poison which slowly and painfully kills its victims.
We have learned to cook in a new way. With careful study of labels and trying recipes using gluten-free flours, life is good.
I truly believe many of our illnesses could be cured by looking at what we eat and how we react to certain foods.
I just wanted to share what we have learned and hopefully help others.
As I said, you don't have to have a test...just lay off gluten and see if it helps you.
Posted on January 3, 2006 10:10 PM
I will try that. Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks!
Posted on January 4, 2006 9:42 AM