Celiac disease is of vital importance to many people, and some people may not even know they have it. The health problems can range from having no symptoms to extreme symptoms such as bloating, fatigue, diarrhea and weight loss. The problem is an allergy to gluten, the protein found in wheat.
If you find that consumption of any kind of wheat based products or other foods containing gluten causes stomach, bowel or digestive problems, it could be a sign of Celiac disease. You should consult with a medical professional to see what the exact cause may be.
It’s interesting that the symptoms of Celiac disease can be quite broad. While almost of the symptoms have to do with the digestive tract, different people with Celiac disease have reported a variety of symptoms and problems. Also interesting is the fact that symptoms of Celiac disease can be rather sudden, or may be delayed for up to several months. Once diagnosed by your health care provider, it is especially important for you to be concerned with lifestyle and especially your daily eating habits. Since the culprit is wheat gluten consumption, you need to eliminate that from your diet. The good news is there are plenty of gluten free foods at your grocery store.
As parents, you need to be aware that Celiac disease can affect people of all ages including children. You child will have no idea what the problem is if they suffer some digestive type problems. If you have analyzed your child’s food intake, you can calculate if there was a large amount of gluten that may be causing the problem. If you have any doubts, see your child’s doctor and explain the symptoms and what your child has eaten.
Celiac disease can be a very serious health risk. If left untreated, you can increase the risk of other diseases like certain types of intestinal cancer. Since all you need to do is avoid gluten, the treatment is a fairly easy one to do. Intestinal damage begins to heal within weeks of gluten being removed from the diet. There is no excuse for letting the disease get out of hand.
It’s interesting to note that the Roman Catholic doctrine states that for the Eucharist to be valid, it must consist of breads made from wheat. This belief presents a dilemma for Roman Catholics during Holy Communion. If you are in this situation, consult with your priest as they may be able to provide you with low gluten bread. This is still not helpful to you, but it may be the best the church can offer.
Celiac sufferers may also have sensitivity to certain foods and food additives such as soy, MSG and other products. The moral of this story is that the foods we eat most definitely affect who we are and how we feel. You will have to read the labels more closely when you shop and ask at restaurants whether there is any gluten in the foods you want to order.
