It’s an old truism that, “You are what you eat.” For millions of people, their lives depend upon eating the right foods. For many ailments, such as Celiac Disease, the condition cannot be controlled without the proper diet. Celiac Disease is a major worldwide health problem, affecting about 1 out of every 100 people. In the United States, it is estimated that two and one-half people have Celiac Disease but do not know it, exposing them to long-term health risks.
What is Celiac Disease?
People with Celiac Disease cannot eat gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. If they eat gluten (bread, for example), their bodies mount an immune response, attacking the small intestine. This autoimmune response causes the small intestine to be unable to properly absorb nutrients. This is a hereditary medical issue; anyone with a close relative with Celiac Disease has a 10% chance of also developing the problem. Celiac Disease can manifest at any time, even in very young children.
Health Risks Caused by Celiac Disease
When Celiac Disease is not treated, a number of serious problems can develop. Other autoimmune disorders can develop, especially Type 1 Diabetes and Multiple Sclerosis. People are troubled by chronic skin rashes, anaemia and osteoporosis. Fertility can be affected while pregnant women can have miscarriages. Neurological problems present themselves, including epilepsy. Intestinal cancers develop in some cases. Celiac Disease can even prevent someone from growing taller. Many people with Celiac Disease also have another chronic health issue.
The Only Treatment is Diet
It would be nice if there were a ‘magic pill’ that would take care of this problem, but there isn’t. For the rest of someone’s life, that person must avoid eating gluten. Period. Even eating a tiny amount of bread could trigger damage to the small intestine. Learning to eat gluten-free is not easy. Wheat is in baked goods, of course, but can also be found in some salad dressings. Barley is found is soups and beer, but also could be in food colouring.
Allegheny Medical, located in Pittsburgh, PA, offers a Nutrition Service which helps those with Celiac Disease to learn to deal with this complicated problem. The Nutrition Service also counsels on Adult Weight Management, Diabetes and a variety of other medical issues. Family Medicine, Urgent Care and other medical services are also available for families and businesses. You can also visit them on Facebook.