Celiac Disease
What is Celiac Disease?
Celiac disease is a genetic, autoimmune condition that causes inflammation of the small intestine due to a permanent intolerance to gluten.1, 2
Exposure to gluten in a celiac patient causes the villi, which are small, finger-like projections that line the small intestine, to be severely damaged. This interferes with the absorption of dietary nutrients and leads to a variety of serious health conditions related to malnourishment.4
Celiac disease affects children, men, and women of all ages and races in every area of the world, and may be triggered at any point in life.5
The only treatment for celiac disease is strict adherence to a lifelong gluten-free diet, which means eliminating all forms of wheat, rye, and barley from a patient’s diet.1
Even if you do not suffer from celiac disease, you likely will come in contact with someone who does. This may be in the form of a family member, child, loved one, friend, coworker, or simply an acquaintance. Gaining an understanding of the physical, mental, emotional, and psychological aspects of celiac disease enables you to be compassionate and supportive of those around you working to manage the whole life impact of this condition.
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There are over 300 signs, symptoms, and conditions associated with celiac disease making it difficult to diagnose without testing.
Interested in learning more?
Complete the Celiac Disease Foundation
How prevalent is Celiac Disease?
Celiac disease is one of the world’s most prevalent genetic autoimmune conditions, affecting 1% of the world population.2 It is the only autoimmune disease with a known trigger – GLUTEN.5
Rates of celiac disease are expanding over and above any predicted trend across the world, taking on the semblance of an epidemic.3
An estimated 1 in 133 Americans have celiac disease, making it one of the more common health problems in North America.1,2
If you have a first-degree relative (parent, child, sibling) that has been diagnosed with celiac disease, your risk increases to 1 in 10. A second-degree relative (aunt, uncle, grandparent) with celiac disease makes your risk 1 in 39.1
Have questions about celiac disease, your risk factors, and your options for testing and diagnosis? Let's Talk
Wouldn’t I know if I had Celiac Disease?
In the United States, celiac disease is one of the least diagnosed conditions with an estimated 2.5 million children and adults continuing to suffer needlessly.2
6-10 years is the average time a person waits in the US to be correctly diagnosed.5
Symptoms9 may manifest in a variety of ways including:
- Anemia, osteoporosis
- Stunted growth in children
- Fatigue, nightmares, sleep disturbances
- Bloating, diarrhea, constipation
- Anxiety, depression, irritability
- Discolored teeth, delayed tooth eruption, canker sores
- Arthritis, pain, migraines
- Infertility, miscarriage, early menopause in women
- Dermatitis herpetiformis, eczema, psoriasis, acne
- Other autoimmune diseases
Do any of these sound like you or your child? Don’t wait one more day for answers and relief of symptoms!
Why does 100% gluten free matter?
As little as one crumb of a gluten-containing food or product is enough to cause damage in a celiac patient.1
Cross contamination can happen in your home, at school, work, restaurants, or social events.
Gluten may be found in food and beverages, as well as many everyday products including medications, vitamins, lotions, shampoos, hand soaps, lipstick, makeup, pet food, etc.1
Undiagnosed and/or untreated celiacs have twice the risk of premature death compared to age- and sex-matched controls.3
Have you or a family member recently been diagnosed with celiac disease? I can help guide your transition to a gluten free #nocrumbsplease life and teach you how to reduce your risk of accidental exposure to gluten through cross contamination.
Am I Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitive?
Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS) is also reffered to as Non-Celiac Wheat Sensitivity (NCWS).
People with NCGS/NCWS experience symptoms similar to those of celiac disease, which resolve when wheat is removed from the diet. However, they do not test positive for celiac disease.6
While little is still known about this recently recognized condition, research indicates the symptoms from NCGS/NCWS are likely caused by a combination of factors. Gluten, fructans, and other inflammatory components of wheat and other cereal grains are all under suspicion.18, 19
NCGS/NCWS remains a disease of exclusion as no formal test for diagnosis has yet been developed and accepted by the conventional medical community.7, 8
Changing your diet can feel scary and overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Together, we will find options you love to fit both your lifestyle and nutritional needs.
Empower yourself to create the life you’ve dreamed of by scheduling your free consultation today!
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The Facts on Autoimmune Disease
An autoimmune disease is one in which your immune system mistakenly identifies your body’s own healthy cells as invaders and then repeatedly attacks them.15
The classic sign of an autoimmune disease is inflammation, but the symptoms you experience depend on what parts of the body are targeted by your particular disease.15
Autoimmune diseases can affect almost any part of the body, including the heart, brain, nerves, muscles, skin, eyes, joints, lungs, kidneys, glands, the digestive tract, and blood vessels.15
Autoimmune diseases are common and rates are growing, affecting more than 23.5 million Americans.10, 12
There are more than 80 types of autoimmune diseases, with an additional 40 illnesses suspected to have an autoimmune component. Each may come with a wide variety of symptoms that may overlap different conditions, making getting an accurate diagnosis difficult.10, 11
Autoimmune diseases can affect anyone, and currently have no known cure.12
Once you have one autoimmune disease your risk of developing another one increases.13
Autoimmunity is the underlying cause of more than 100 serious, chronic illnesses making them a leading cause of death and disability in America.12, 14
It takes most autoimmune patients up to 4.6 years and nearly 5 doctors before receiving a proper autoimmune disease diagnosis.14
75% of people who suffer from autoimmune diseases are women, which often start during their childbearing years.10, 12Childbearing years vary from woman-to-woman, but are generally defined as between 15-44 years of age.16
The symptoms associated with many autoimmune disorders may be improved by eliminating gluten and other highly inflammatory foods from your diet, even if you do not have celiac disease.10
Many autoimmune conditions seem to start in the gut where approximately 70% of our immune system resides.10, 17
Contact me today to find out how incorporating anti-inflammatory dietary and stress-reducing lifestyle methods may assist in symptom relief and gut healing.
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