Celiac disease is a disorder that is affecting 1 in 10 people worldwide. It is an autoimmune disorder in which the small intestine is very sensitive to gluten, which ultimately leads to a difficulty digesting food.
It can develop at any age if you have consumed foods or medicines that contain gluten. If you have a parent, child, or sibling with celiac disease, then you have a 1 in 10 chance of developing Celiac disease. Some of the symptoms you might experience are pain in the abdomen or joints, burning in the chest, and lactose intolerance. Now, the most important thing is that many of the symptoms presented could be confused with something else. In some situations, the symptoms may occur on your digestive system and other parts of the body. In the case of infants and/or children, most of the symptoms are digestive.
The only treatment available is a strict gluten-free diet, vitamins, and dietary supplements. If you leave it untreated, it can cause serious problems, such as type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis. Before deciding on a gluten-free diet, or some other type of treatment, it is important that you know that Celiac Disease is the reason for your symptoms.
If you have been diagnosed with celiac disease, unfortunately it is not something that can be cured and/or “grow out of it”. A change of lifestyle is required and a continuous review of your diagnosis needs to be in the books with your doctor frequently. You must be aware of the supplements and vitamins you are taking, and if they continue to work properly. Other exams like Bone Health and further medication need to be discussed on a regular basis to make sure everything is still working properly.
If you have had these symptoms, and are looking to be sure that you are not suffering from Celiac Disease, get in contact with us. We can provide information and a second opinion to allow you to make an informed decision. At the end of the day, if you do have Celiac Disease, we want to make sure you can continue to have a great life, and a peace of mind.
