Autoimmune Disease Awareness Month: Celiac Disease.
The following illness is one that holds a deeper wound in me than any other. Celiac Disease is an inherited autoimmune disease affecting 1 in every 100 Americans. This condition damages the lining of the small bowel, preventing it from absorbing nutrients from foods. When an individual with Celiac Disease eats food that contains gluten (wheat, barley, and rye), the immune system has an abnormal reaction to it. This reaction destroys the villi in the small intestine, making it difficult for sufferers to get the nutrients they need to stay healthy. Symptoms of Celiac Disease -Gas -Bloating -Diarrhea -Weight loss -Fatigue -Nausea/Vomiting Getting a diagnosis Your doctor will gather a medical history and examine you. They will also send you for blood work. If the blood test comes back positive for Celiac Disease, your doctor will recommend a biopsy in order to confirm the diagnosis. These tests for Celiac Disease must be done BEFORE eliminating gluten from your diet. If y...