Are gluten intolerance and celiac disease the same?
The difference between gluten intolerance and celiac disease is one of degree. A person suffering from gluten intolerance should not eat foods that contain gluten. However, a person who suffers from the celiac disease must not eat gluten rich foods. The former can get away with consuming gluten without any severe harmful effects. However, the same cannot be said about the latter. This does not mean you can afford to relax if you suffer from gluten enteropathy. If you continue eating gluten, you run the risk of converting your intolerance into full blown celiac disease.
My child is suffering from celiac disease. How should I handle the situation?
To date there is no cure for celiac disease. Unless science comes up with a cure in the future, your child will have to live with this disease throughout his or her life. A parent’s positive attitude is the first step is to help his or her child accept this fact as quickly as possible. Children can adapt quickly to a gluten-free diet. This will lead to healing results and with your continual reassurance in maintaining the diet; your child can accept and face the challenges head on that are related to celiac disease.
A relative of mine has been diagnosed with the celiac disease. I too suffer with some of the same symptoms. Since celiac is a very rare disease, is there any reason for me to get tested?
One of the biggest misconceptions among people is that celiac disease is very rare. This exists primarily due to the fact that there is very little awareness about this disease and it may go undiagnosed. Further, the symptoms of celiac can vary so much from person to person that it is very difficult to identify the condition quickly. However, the fact is that 1 out of every 133 Americans suffer from this disease. Celiac tends to run in families. If you have an aunt, uncle, grandparent or first cousin with celiac you may have it too. It is better to have been diagnosed with celiac and live a gluten-free life than to continue to suffer.
I am suffering symptoms of celiac disease. However, my long time family doctor tells me I am perfectly fine. Why should I test for the disease?
There have been many people who have now been diagnosed with celiac disease who were told that they were ‘just fine.” In spite of the recent outpouring of research and awareness, many have gone undiagnosed or misdiagnosed with a variety of illnesses before the correct celiac diagnosis is made. There are several reasons why a doctor might miss the diagnosis such as lack of awareness or information, symptoms vary greatly from person to person, symptoms may be confused with other serious illnesses, or poorly done biopsies. Also, celiac is not picked up by routine blood tests so if the doctor doesn’t see or know the signs in the blood test results he won’t recognize the warning signs. Ultimately, you will need to educate yourself and find a doctor or specialist that will be able to make a correct diagnosis.
My tests show that I have been suffering from celiac disease for many years. I am scared that my small intestine may have suffered irreparable damage.
Thankfully, the villi in our small intestine have amazing regenerative capabilities. Once you stop consuming gluten, the villi will regenerate and your small intestine will begin to heal. Depending on your body’s response to the healing process you may feel improvement immediately or it could take months. Stick with the diet and be patient!
I want to switch to a gluten free diet but the gluten free foods sold in the stores are too expensive. I have no choice but to eat gluten rich food. What should I do?
Buying alternative grains and other gluten free foods are more expensive than buying the same specialty items that are not gluten free such as pizzas, cookies, crackers, and pretzels. Processed foods are not the only source of gluten free food. Try focusing on nutrition instead of processed foods that provide only empty calories. Use generic or store brands where possible, being careful to check the labels or also call the company to get product information. Prepare your food at home. It is the safest and most economical thing to do.
My husband and I have been trying to have a child for quite some time now. I now realize that I often suffer from gluten intolerance symptoms. Is there a connection between celiac disease and fertility?
It is a well established fact that women suffering from gluten intolerance often suffer from infertility and your efforts at having a baby may be hampered by the fact that you are consuming gluten in your diet. Why not get rid of gluten and see if it is affecting your fertility?
What is the connection between celiac disease and malnutrition?
The villi in your small intestine become “blunted” and are not effective in absorbing nutrients. The end result is poor nutrient absorption which leaves you malnourished.