What do The View's Elizabeth Hasselbeck and MSNBC's Keith Olbermann share, other than television air time? Both have Celiac Disease, an inherited autoimmune disorder that affects an estimated 1 out of 133 people. When those with Celiac Disease eat certain types of proteins called glutens, their small intestine loses the ability to absorb vitamins and nutrients found in food, leading to malnutrition and other medical complications. Found in wheat, barley and rye, glutens can cause a person with the disease to suffer from serious health problems if ingesting even a small amount.
Who gets it?
Celiac Disease can strike a person at any age and at any stage during their lifetime. As a hereditary condition, about 17% of people with celiac disease also have an immediate family member who has it.
What causes it
While not a a food allergy, the condition can be caused by a genetic disposition or by certain environmental triggers such as:
? going through puberty
? undergoing and recovering from a major surgery
? pregnancy
? experiencing a stressful situation
? after catching a virus
What are the Symptoms?
Some who are diagnosed with Celiac Disease have no symptoms at all, yet 300 symptoms for the disease exist. The most common symptoms include:
? abdominal pain
? diarrhea
? constipation
? decreased appetite
? weight loss
? nausea
? failure to thrive
How is it Diagnosed?
According to the National Foundation for Celiac Disease Awareness, 3 million people suffer from the disease, but around 95% of those are either undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. The disease can be diagnosed initially though a blood test. If positive, a biopsy from the lining of the small intestine can provide a positive confirmation. Once a diagnosis is made, it's recommended that immediate family members also get tested due to genetic factors. If left undiagnosed and untreated, this disease can lead to the development of other autoimmune disorders.
What is the Treatment?
It is a lifelong condition since no cure exists. Successfully managing the disease involves adapting to a gluten free diet. Reading labels and learning how to identify ingredients that might contain hidden amounts of gluten is critical to successfully managing Celiac Disease. In recent years, most grocery chains have added gluten-free sections and restaurants have become more pro-active by adding gluten free items to their menus. Fortunately, damage to the small intestine can be reversed if glutens are removed from the diet.
It can take several years for someone to be correctly diagnosed with Celiac Disease, since the symptoms are similar to other gastrointestinal conditions like Crohn's Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
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