| This disease can kill. It can lead to cancer and | | | | children. In adults you are more likely to see some |
| diabetes, if it is not diagnosed and treated. As one | | | | of the following: |
| in 133 Americans have the disease, it is important | | | | - an itchy skin rash |
| to be able to recognise celiac disease symptoms. | | | | - canker sores inside the mouth |
| There is only one known treatment. | | | | - tingling numbness in the hands and feet |
| What is celiac disease? | | | | - fatigue |
| It is a digestive disease that damages the small | | | | - bone or joint pain |
| intestine and interferes with absorption of | | | | - bone loss or osteoporosis |
| nutrients from food. Without the absorption of | | | | - iron-deficiency anemia |
| the nutrients it needs, the body reacts. The result | | | | - missed menstrual periods |
| is a failing of health and well being. | | | | What to do if you see celiac disease symptoms in |
| It has been around for a long time. Two thousand | | | | yourself or loved ones |
| years ago a Greek physician wrote about the | | | | The first thing to do is see your doctor. If he or |
| disease. His name was Aretaeus and he lived in | | | | she is not very well versed in the subject of |
| the first century AD. He said "If the stomach be | | | | nutrition, I would hope that you will be referred to |
| irretentive of the food and if it pass through | | | | a nutritionist/dietician. A dietitian is a health care |
| undigested and crude, and nothing ascends into | | | | professional who specializes in food and nutrition. |
| the body, we call such persons coeliacs". | | | | If you have any doubts, you can ask for a |
| What causes it? | | | | referral to one. |
| The exact cause of it is unknown, but it is often | | | | The only known treatment is eating food that is |
| inherited. However, it is known that people who | | | | free of gluten. Someone with the disease can |
| have it cannot tolerate gluten, a protein in wheat, | | | | learn the following from a dietitian: |
| rye, and barley. | | | | |
| It is triggered by eating foods that are rich with | | | | 1. what foods contain gluten and what foods do |
| gluten like cereal grains, bread, pasta, pizza crust, | | | | not |
| cakes, donuts, cookies and many processed | | | | 2. substitutes for glutenous foods that we |
| foods including snacks that are commonly | | | | commonly eat |
| enjoyed. In a sufferer, the body reacts to gluten. | | | | 3. stores that stock a plentiful range of gluten |
| It is the gluten in food that causes the body of | | | | free food |
| the sufferer to reject the absorption of the | | | | 4. how to read ingredient lists and identify foods |
| nutrients in the food into the body. | | | | that contain gluten |
| What are some of the celiac disease symptoms | | | | For most people, following a gluten free diet will |
| found in adults? | | | | stop symptoms, heal existing intestinal damage, |
| Symptoms vary from person to person. | | | | and prevent further damage. However to remain |
| Symptoms may occur in the digestive system or | | | | free of celiac disease symptoms, a sufferer must |
| in other parts of the body. Digestive complaints | | | | continue on the diet for the rest of their life. |
| are not as common in adults as they are in | | | | |