Approximately one in 133 Americans are affective with a disease called Celiac Disease (CD) and over 97 percent of those with CD go undiagnosed. It’s time to become aware and informed about Celiac Disease.
What is Celiac Disease?
CD is an inherited autoimmune condition affecting children and adults. When people with CD eat foods that contain gluten, it creates an immune-mediated toxic reaction that causes damage to the small intestine and does not allow food to be properly absorbed.
What is Gluten?
Gluten is the elastic proteins found in all forms of wheat (including durum, semolina, spelt, kamut, einkorn and faro) and related grains rye, barley and triticale.
What are the symptoms of Celiac Disease?
Gastrointestinal distress such as, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain or bloating, lactose intolerance, and/or constipation, are common symptoms but not always. People with CD are often misdiagnosed as other autoimmune diseases such as Cohn’s, lupus, fibromyalgia, and varies allergies.
How can I get tested for Celiac Disease?
A person seeking diagnosis must consume gluten for at least 4 weeks in order for accurate test. A blood test will help determine if you may have CD but the gold standard is a biopsy of the upper and lower intestinal lining.
Where can I learn more about living a gluten free lifestyle?
If you would like to learn more about living gluten-free, attend the wheat-free/gluten-free store tours offered at Henry’s.
