A Simple Slice of Bread. Staff of Life for You. Poison for Me.

Celiac Disease. Know of it?
Even if you do, you may not know it’s a serious genetic autoimmune condition. Because it can cause over 100 symptoms, it often masquerades as other conditions. For that reason, and despite availability of simple blood test to detect it, the average time to diagnosis is ten years for women and six years for men. The consequences in the meantime can be significant: miscarriage, stillbirth, osteopenia, neurological conditions, gastrointestinal symptoms, headache, fatigue, failure to thrive and stunted growth in children and, over the long term, increased risk of esophageal, stomach and colon cancer, or lymphoma.
There are no medicines or treatments for celiac disease.
Regardless, I was giddy when – after only five years of symptoms – I was diagnosed. What a relief to know it wasn’t osteoarthritis, or worse. I felt empowered! I could do something – namely, avoid gluten – the protein component of wheat, barley and rye.
Gluten is sticky, which is where ‘glue’ gets its name. Remember kindergarten paste? The ‘glue’ of those days might have been messy; the ‘glue’ of gluten is dangerous for those of us with this disease.
Those feelings of empowerment? Well, they’re gone now. These days, I know better about the subtle – but very substantial – burdens I’ve carried since the diagnosis. I may be healthier avoiding gluten, but I’m weary. I’m worried. And, I’m angry.
Avoiding the gluten in food, you see, takes lots of work and...

Source: Disruptive Women in Health Care - August 28, 2015 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: dw at disruptivewomen.net Tags: Chronic Conditions Food Nutrition Source Type: blogs