May is Celiac Disease Awareness Month
May is Celiac Disease Awareness Month
by Liz Moon, NP
Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition in which the body develops antibodies (an immune system response) toward a protein called gluten. Gluten is commonly found in wheat, barley, and rye. The disease will occur in individuals that are genetically predisposed. People with a first-degree relative that have celiac disease (parent, child, sibling) have a 1 in 10 risk of developing the condition. It is estimated to affect 1 in 100 people worldwide.
Adults are less likely to have digestive symptoms, with only one-third experiencing diarrhea. Adults are more likely to have other symptoms such as unexplained iron-deficiency anemia, joint pain, osteoporosis, liver and biliary tract disorders, infertility, migraines, dermatitis herpetiformis (itchy skin rash) and others.
Early diagnosis and treatment are imperative to prevent long-term health consequences. Untreated celiac disease can lead to the development of other autoimmune disorders like Type I diabetes and multiple sclerosis (MS), short stature, heart disease, intestinal cancers and all the conditions listed above.
Currently, the only treatment for celiac disease is strict adherence to a gluten-free diet. Future drug therapies are currently in development with the hope of reducing the burden of living with celiac disease and improving long-term health outcomes. Celiac Disease Foundation is a wonderful resource for patients at www.celiac.org.
If you or someone you know may have celiac disease or are currently living with celiac disease, please contact us today. It is essential that patients be diagnosed early and that those living with celiac disease be monitored closely to make sure their disease is well controlled. Reach out today by phone at 224-407-4400 or through our website www.compgihealth.com to schedule an appointment with one of our Gastroenterologists or Nurse Practitioners. We also have Registered Dietitians well trained in counselling patients about a gluten-free diet.
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