I’m going to share (for your reading enjoyment or at the very least education) some general information about Celiac Disease and Gluten Intolerance.
Why? (AmyJo for one) But, since it has greatly affected my life, and since our American medical establishment is still sadly misinformed I feel a responsibility to tell my family the facts as I have experienced them.
Some statistics. Blind studies in the U.S. show that 1 in every 133 people have celiac disease. This number means that 97% of celiacs in the U.S. have not be diagnosed.
In the U. S. it takes the average celiac 11 years to be diagnosed, in Europe the average Celiac is diagnosed in 14 days?
Hmmm? Why? My personal opinion is because of our pharmaceutical ly driven medicals system. Pharmaceuticals fund research and University teaching agendas would naturally follow. Celiac is a disease and gluten intolerance is a disease that can only be helped by the complete elimination of gluten from the diet. Our doctors are diagnosing on information that is 30 or more years old. Drug companies do not drive Europe’s largely socialist medical establishment and they are far better informed about the condition.
(I could go into any restaurant in the smallest town in Italy and they knew what Celiac was…this means even the general populace is better informed in Europe)
This means that many doctors in the U.S will give you false or erroneous information.
Here is some FALSE information your doctor may have been taught.
*If you don’t have symptoms you don’t have celiac
*You will be emaciated and losing large amounts of weight if you have Celiac
*You must have visibly damaged villi in your intestine to be Gluten Intolerant/Celiac
*You can’t be overweight and have Celiac
*Celiac is a childhood disease that you can grow out of
*If your blood test is positive for Celiac you MUST have an endoscopy to prove your intestinal villi are damaged.
Ok, I could go on here, but you get the point.
Two factors cause Celiac Disease, which is an autoimmune disease, not an allergy.
First you have to have the gene that pre-disposes you to the condition.
Second, and harder to define, is a catalyst; the disease often emerges after some form of trauma: an infection, a physical injury, the stress of pregnancy, severe stress or surgery.
This catalyst and it’s causes are not completely understood, but what it does mean is that if you carry the gene you could develop active gluten intolerance and Celiac Disease at any time in your life.
So, even if you have been screened and found celiac free that can change. People in there 90s have developed active Celiac with no other symptoms in their lifetime.
If someone in your immediate family has Celiac Disease, chances are 15 percent to 30 percent that you may as well. It can occur at any age.
If I feel fine why would I care if I have celiac disease?
Since Celiac disease is an immune disease the risk of acquiring other auto immune diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or autoimmune thyroid disease has been found to increase by almost 30%. Also increased by nearly 30% are your chances of developing colon cancer, lymphoma and stomach cancer.
Also increased are risk for diabetes, osteoporosis, and a plethora of other common diseases.
Sobering.
A number of tests, sometimes collectively referred to as the Celiac Blood Panel, will aid the physician in diagnosis. The tests may include, but are not limited to:
*
Serologic Tests
1. EMA (Immunoglobulin A anti-endomysium antibodies)
2. AGA (IgA anti-gliadin antibodies)
3. AGG (IgG anti-gliadin antibodies)
4. tTGA (IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase)
* Tolerance or Measure of Digestion/Absorption Tests
1. Lactose tolerance test.
2. D-Xylose test.
Ok, I know I have written far more than anyone will read. It is a subject close to home, and I hate to think of people suffering anywhere close to the level I reached before diagnosis.
My information is from a variety of sources. You will find much of the false info on the internet right along with the correct.
My primary source of info is a book called “Celiac Disease: A Hidden Epidemic”. Other info gleaned from national celiac organizations, and much much research.
If you are looking for more information please visit:
www.csaceliacs.org/
www.celiac.org/
www.celiac.com/
www.gluten.net/
4 comments:
You and I have discussed this at length, but it was still good for me to read through all the information again. It IS very sobering and a good reminder that even though I tested negative once, it doesn't mean that I'm not a carrier or that I won't develop it at some date. Thanks for taking the time to elucidate and educate. it IS aggravating that the US is so far behind.
I DO think that once someone really realizes the market there is for gluten free food it will some of your eating options will change. Capitolism at it's finest....
That's alot to digest. HE he. Seriously, thanks for the info. It's important. There are a few people in my ward with celiac and I guess it's a possibilty for me too,
THANK YOU for taking the time to write all that info. I thought we were out of the woods with it but it sounds like it may always be a possibility....LIFE! Thanks again!
Good info. I guess as Crazy says just because I tested negative once doesn't mean it's not a possibility down the road. I know a couple people here in Seattle who are celiac (a neighbor in the next block even). Crazy is right though as it becomes more diagnosed the food will follow.
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