There are over 3 million people in the Unites States are suffering with Celiac disease and 97% of them go undiagnosed.
Symptoms of Celiac Disease
There are over 200 known symptoms associated with Celia disease. Some patients only experience a few, while others suffer with many. Which is why it can be difficult to diagnose. Also, many of the symptoms occur in other conditions. The symptoms include:
Changes in bowel movement
Gas and bloating
Fatigue and weakness
Unexplained weight loss
Depression or anxiety
Joint pain or arthritis
Migraines or seizures
Iron deficiency anemia
Canker sores in the mouth
Numbness or tingling in feet and hands
Infertility or recurrent miscarriages
Itchy rash on skin
What is Celiac Disease?
Beyond Celiac describes what it is, “Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that’s triggered by consuming gluten and results in damage to the small intestine.”
“When a person with celiac disease eats gluten, the immune system sees gluten as a threat and mounts an attack. However, it ends up damaging the villi of the intestines, which help to digest food. Damaged villi make it nearly impossible for the body to absorb nutrients, leading to malnourishment and a host of other issues.Getting tested for Celiac Disease”
There Are A Few Test Used To Determine
To determine if you have Celiac disease, there are a few tests. A blood test can detect certain antibodies and an endoscopy enables the doctor to get a closer look at the small intestine.
Treatment of Celiac Disease
According to Beyond Celiac, “The only current treatment for celiac disease is simple: a lifelong gluten-free diet. There are no medications or surgeries that can cure the autoimmune disease. Eating any amount of gluten, no matter how tiny it is, can cause damage to the villi of the small intestine and prevent patients from absorbing nutrients into the bloodstream.”
Facts From Beyond Celiac
Celiac disease affects 1 in 133 people
3 million Americans across all races, ages, genders and genders suffer from celiac disease
Celiac disease is hereditary, so all first and second-degree relatives should be tested.
83% of people with celiac disease are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed
6-10 years is the average time a person waits to be correctly diagnosed in the US
We waste billions of critical health care dollars each year on unnecessary testing and treatment for those seeking a diagnosis.
Celiac disease can lead to a number of other conditions, including infertility, neurological disorders and some cancers. Celiac disease can also trigger the onset of other autoimmune diseases
A strict, 100% gluten-free diet is currently the only way to control celiac disease. There is currently no pharmaceutical treatment.
If you or a loved one is suffering from the symptoms of Celiac disease, it is important to have it diagnosed and treated.
We encourage you to contact Gastroenterology Consultants of Central Florida. We have the latest in-house research and treatments for the disease.