Celiac Disease, What is it..........................

Well let me start by saying , I have it. was diagnosed with it just about a month and a half ago. suprized? yes... frustrated? yes... but happy to finally find out what the problem was.

I started having complications some time back, seemed like everytime I ate food no matter what it was, I was so sick to my stomach. I tried eating bland foods like dry toast, oats, plain cerials nothing seemd to help. After going to the doctor, they seemed to feel that maybe I had a bad gall bladder I was then sent on to the gastroenterologist to have my stomach scoped to check things out. I had an EGD where they place a tube down your throat to look at the lining of your stomach and they take a biopsy. I also took a test where I had to eat radio active eggs then they ran a x-ray over me for a long period of time to see how long it took for my food to digest. That test came out fine.

When the results of my biopsy came back it was found that my numbers were all out of whack leading to a blood test that finally determined that I had Celiac Disease.

Now, you know my whole routine here is what it is.............
Celiac Disease also known as Sprue Disease, is a medical condition in which the absorptive surface of the small intestine is damaged by a substance called gluten. This results in an inability of the body to absorb nutrients: protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, which are necessary for good health.

Now you must be thinking to yourself, Well what CAN you eat? the answer...not much .......... no no Im kidding. Truth is many things that I used to be able to eat are now out of the question. There are 2 flours that celiac sufferers can use. Rice Flour and Potato Flour/Starch all other flours and grains are out of the question, now I have not tried rice or potato flours as I have been told that they do not mix or taste like regular flour. I do eat potato bread and it is very good.

Going out to eat is not so easy, but can be done with some research. most fast food places are out. I now have to go to places where you have a sit down dinner so there is more of a choice of foods and even then I have to remember not to eat things that could have the forbidden ingredients. There are many resturants online that offer nutrician lists and some offer a gluten free diet.

I have found that some places use wheat as a filler in their hamburger and actually as a filler in many items I would not have originally thought if, salad dressings, salsas, licorice, prepared meals, boxed dinners, etc....... Gluten can be found in tooth paste so I have changed that as well. Many reccomend having your own toaster but I have not gone that route. I dont eat toast that often so it is not a big deal.

Although celiac disease can affect anyone, it tends to be more common in people with disorders caused by a reaction of the immune system (autoimmune disorders), such as:

Lupus erythematosus
Type 1 diabetes/Juvenile diabetes)
Rheumatoid arthritis
Autoimmune thyroid disease

A large, multicenter study of more than 13,000 people, published in February 2003, indicates that celiac disease may be much more common in the United States than previously suspected. Researchers found that among the study participants, one out of 133 had the disease. For those closely related to a person with celiac disease, such as a parent or sibling, the prevalence was even higher: one in 22.

There is not a known reason as to why and there is no cure. Following the gluten free diet is your only source of relief. Some are not effected as much as others and can simply avoid certain foods and be fine. Others like myself cannot touch any of the items without becoming ill.

Now, if you have been to my page about insulin reactions you have read about the car accidents that I had due to low blood sugar. It is now thought that I have had Celiac for some time now and that while I was eating things like cereal sandwiches pastas etc.... I was not getting any nutrician from them therefore my insulin had nothing to work with. This has been somewhat of a relief to find out. It is hard not knowing why things like that happen.

Now, some diabetics have something called Gastroperisis, this is where it takes longer for your food to digest, this is different from Celiac. Below you will find some links to help if you have Celiac or would like to learn more about it. I am still very new to it so I will be learning with you.

If you have any information that can help me or other out please send me an email and we will add it to the site for everyone to see. Also, if you have a Gluten Free recipe and would like to share it, please go to my recipe page and use the form to email it to me. I will add it to the recipe page labeled "Gluten Free". After I get some recipes together that I have tried I will add a Gluten Free Recipe page all to itself.

Everything you need to know about Celiac Disease
Celiac.Com

Healthy Living with Celiac Disease
Gluten Free.Com

Gluten-Free Recipes and Food Preparation Tips
Gluten Free Recipes and Tips