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What is Celiac Disease?
Celiac disease (aka coeliac disease) is a genetic autoimmune disorder where ingesting gluten (a protein in wheat, barley, and rye) triggers an immune response that damages the small intestine's lining. This damage leads to inflammation and atrophy of the villi, tiny finger-like projections in the intestine responsible for nutrient absorption. As a result, individuals with celiac disease may experience symptoms like diarrhea, bloating, fatigue, and malnutrition. Over time, untreated celiac disease can lead to more severe health problems, including anemia, osteoporosis, weight loss, and increased risk of certain cancers. A strict gluten-free diet is the only effective treatment. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease, not a wheat allergy. It's also different from non-celiac gluten sensitivity, gluten intolerance, or sensitivity to gluten.
My Long Journey to Celiac Disease Diagnosis
Like many people, I spent a lot of years, a lot of dollars, and endured many tests and misdiagnoses, before doctors finally discovered that I had celiac disease (also known as coeliac disease or celiac sprue), and needed to eliminate gluten and all gluten-containing ingredients from my diet. Gluten is a protein found in the three main gluten-containing grains: wheat, rye, and barley; and is often hidden in processed foods, and things like soy sauce and beer...[READ MORE about my long and winding road to a celiac disease diagnosis and recovery.]
Gluten-Free Diet
To treat my celiac disease I had to go on a gluten-free diet for life. That meant learning to read food labels to avoid gluten ingredients, and eating a diet of mostly naturally gluten-free foods like meats, fruits, nuts, vegetables, and packaged foods only if they are certified gluten-free or labeled gluten-free, for example gluten-free breads made using gluten-free grains.
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Recent Activity
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- knitty kitty replied to Jordan Carlson's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease7
Getting sick much more often
Hello there! @Jordan Carlson , you said "Now the last 3 ish years I have been sick more than I ever have been in my life. Could it be my immune system was so tired/fatigued prior to diagnosis that it just wouldnt turn on anymore? And now that my stress and inflammation is down its functioning stronger?" I think you may have that backwards. Your... -
- Jordan Carlson replied to Jordan Carlson's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease7
Getting sick much more often
@trents I do take all the recommended vitamins and excersize regularly. Basically do all things labeled as a healthy lifestyle haha. Thats why I was thinking more this is my immune system now having the energy to fight viruses rather than being too stressed out as I have heard that it is a common thing when your body is over stressed due to underlying autoimmune... -
- trents replied to Jordan Carlson's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease7
Getting sick much more often
Jordan Carlson, Wheat flour is fortified with vitamins ("enriched") where as gluten free facsimile flours are not. So when you eliminate wheat flour from your diet you may lose a significant source of nutrition. At the same time, gluten-free prepackaged foods are practically devoid of vitamins and minerals, consisting mostly of highly processed high... -
- Jordan Carlson replied to Jordan Carlson's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease7
Getting sick much more often
Hey there @trents. I wish I could edit my original post. I am talking about getting a cold way more often, not gluten poisoning. -
- trents replied to Jordan Carlson's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease7
Getting sick much more often
Reply to Sanna King: As you have withdrawn gluten from your diet you have lost all tolerance to it that you had when consuming it on a regular basis. This is normal. Not everyone experiences it but it is common. It has been my experience as well. When I was consuming gluten every meal every day for years after the onset of celiac disease but before diagnosis...
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