Living with Celiac Disease: Diet is Key to Coping
For every person treated for celiac disease, it’s believed that 40 others live with its symptoms, unaware that there’s an effective way to control their persistent stomach pain and discomfort.
Celiac disease damages the small intestine because of sensitivity to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. This genetic disorder interferes with the absorption of nutrients from food.
A change in diet usually controls the symptoms, heals the damage and rapidly improves quality of life.
“Treatment requires a strict gluten-free diet,” says Attila Devenyi, MD, Regional Gastroenterology Associates of Lancaster and Vice Chairperson of the Lancaster General Department of Pediatrics.
It’s a lifestyle adjustment for people with celiac disease, as well as their family and friends.
Fortunately, several cookbooks are dedicated to preparation of delicious gluten-free foods. Dr. Devenyi says someone without celiac disease can get all of the required nutrients and eat the same foods as an affected child. “This is one way to make it easier for kids,” he says.
Celiac disease symptoms resemble those of other digestive disorders. So to diagnose it, physicians use a blood test and biopsy. First-degree relatives of someone with celiac disease should be screened, he says.
Dr. Devenyi says it’s important to be tested before starting a gluten-free diet. Otherwise, testing won’t reveal signs of the disease.
Usually symptoms appear in childhood, though it’s not unusual for it to remain dormant through adulthood, until triggered by stressful situations.
Symptoms may include:
Many symptoms may seem unrelated to digestive disorders. One younger woman Dr. Devenyi treated had osteoporosis, discovered after a broken ankle. Further tests showed celiac disease contributed to the osteoporosis.