What are the symptoms?Diarrhoea is a common symptom that affects people of all ages with Coeliac Disease. Children may have poor weight gain or impaired growth and develop early behavioural problems, whilst adults may find they loose weight and are constantly in poor health. Malabsorption may also leave people tired and weak, because of anaemia caused by iron or folate deficiency. Other long term problems that the disease may cause include osteoporosis, infertility, and in severe cases, bowel cancer.
As the condition becomes more widely known, doctors are much more likely to consider Coeliac Disease as the possible cause of certain symptoms and arrange a specialised blood test that has been developed to help doctors decide whether a patient may have the disease, however, it is still necessary to confirm the diagnosis with an intestinal biopsy.
How do you get it and is it Hereditary?Coeliac Disease has been recognised as more common than previously thought and it appears both genetic and environmental factors play important roles. According to research from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, nearly one out of every 150 Americans suffers from the condition. There are no firm statistics but it is believed that thousands of Australians have Coeliac Disease.
What is known is that around 10% of all first degree relatives (parents, brothers, sisters or children) of a sufferer will also have the disease. With identical twins, if one is affected there is an almost 70% chance that the other twin will also be affected at some point, so the most probable cause of Coeliac Disease is genetic.
In the past, Coeliac Disease was regarded as only a childhood condition, however, more recently a large proportion of those diagnosed are adults, many with few or no problems during childhood.
It is also more common for people with type 1 diabetes (insulin dependent diabetes), autoimmune thyroid disease, osteoporosis, and epilepsy, to be affected.
How is it treated? To keep symptoms under control and prevent further problems, it is necessary to completely eliminate gluten and related proteins from the diet. As long as the diet remains gluten free, problems arising from the disease will not return. Initially, it may be necessary to replace nutrients which are deficient, such as iron, folic acid and vitamins A,D, E and K. Additionally, a low cow’s milk content may be advisable at the beginning, to allow the bowel lining to recover.
The help of a health care professional is an important factor in understanding which foods are gluten-free. Many foods which contain gluten are obvious, but there are also many ingredients which can be a source of undisclosed gluten. For example, there are some concerns regarding gluten content in pharmaceuticals which are currently being addressed by new labeling laws.
Coeliacs must be vigilant at all times and if in any doubt about food content, should abstain.
Regular tests are recommended to check for osteoporosis and a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, and regular weight-bearing exercise, helps prevent osteoporosis from developing.
Today gluten-free foods and recipes are readily available, and there are support groups who regularly produce updated lists of gluten-free foods, and share their experiences with fellow sufferers. With a wide range of products – from gourmet to daily essentials, Coeliacs can enjoy a healthy and delicious diet.
Flannerys stocks hundreds of quality gluten-free products and our naturopaths, who are in-store 7 days a week, are available to show you what is available, how it is used, and discuss your individual tastes and requirements.
Contacts for The Queensland Coeliac Society:This Society is a non-profit organisation, run by devoted volunteers to support others that suffer with Coeliac Disease and related conditions.
Support Centre:
10 Love St
Spring Hill Qld 4000
Telephone: (07) 3839 5404
Website:
www.qld.coeliacsociety.com.au E-Mail: qld@coeliacsociety.com.au