Celiac Disease: An Overview

The symptoms of Celiac Disease are bloating, fatigue, bone and joint pain, constipation, diarrhea, mood changes, tingle in fingers, toes and feet and a rash called Dermatitis Herpetiformis. You don't have to have all of those symptoms at once to have Celiac Disease.

There are 3 million American's with Celiac Disease. More people have Celiac Disease, then epilepsy, MS, Lupus, Parkinson's and rumatory arthritis. Sadly there are 97% of people with Celiac Disease, that don't even know it. Are you one of them?

If untreated, it can lead to infertility, lymphoma, Neurological disorders. Liver Disease and cancers. It's often miss diagnosed because it's symptoms are similar to others bloating, diarrhea,, vomiting and weight loss which are like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Crohn's disease. Diagnoses often take more then 10 years to get diagnosed. People often receive the wrong diagnosis which leads them to seeing another doctor or specialist.

Celiac Disease attacks the small intestine and prevent nutrient from food to be absorbed. people eating even a well balanced meal can become malnourished, if they have Celiac Disease.

Treatment is completely cutting gluten from your diet. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, and oats. Gluten free foods contain no wheat, rye, barley or processed ingredients that would cause there to be 20 or more micrograms of gluten per gram of food.

Some gluten free foods are coffee in a pure form, green tea, rice, salads, products labeled gluten free. Switch to gluten free pastas, cereals and other common products. Skip the beer and relax with a glass of wine.

Be careful of lotions, soaps and lipsticks. Things that are close to your skin that can contaminate your system.

Elisabeth Hasselbeck, co-host of The View, has Celiac Disease. Elisabeth Hasselbeck wrote a book, "The G Free Diet", it's available online and in local book stores. It took Elisabeth over ten years to be diagnosed. According to recent interview, Elisabeth says she is feeling better and has a lot more energy, as well as 3 children, as a result of going gluten free.

There is a blood test a doctor can give. People can be gluten sensitive and not have Celiac Disease, while others may have it. The blood test is important. See a trusted doctor and have the blood test. Bring a list of your symptoms and really talk to your doctor.