CELIAC DISEASE will be a t opic for discussion on The View tomorrow

[caligirl]

morning. I am told Dr. Peter Green is the guest. He wrote Celiac Disease A Hidden Epidemic.(It is).
From the back of his book he says:
If you have
Irritable Bowel,bloating and gas or cramping, diarreah or runny stools, constipation
joint pain or numbness or tingling in your extremities
itchy skin lesions
constant unexplained fatigue
frequent headaches or migraines
anemia,
infertility,
multiple miscarriages,
irritability,
upset stomachs,
depression,
migraines
and a few other symptoms. Do you live in the bathhroom? You might want to look at this segment.
this is one of the autoimmune diseases, some people have symptoms, but many don't or they haven't been diagnosed correctly.


I only PRAY that EA isn't interviewing him, plug nose listen.

[greenbriar]

1. I think I may have it....EH will probably do the talking

cause she has it,

[caligirl]

2. thanks for the warning! i didn't know she has it. My sons have it

and they manage well ,considering they are in college trying to do the diet.

http://www.csaceliacs.org/celiac_symptoms.php

[bahrbearian]

4. Are they still doing live feeds from the bathrooms again?

[MADem]

3. FWIW, most celiacs are thin. So if you have those symptoms but aren't thin, look elsewhere unless

you eat so much that you compensate.

The disease causes malabsorbtion of vitamins due to damage in the small intestine. You unload the wheat, gluten and some other grains from your diet that are the cause of the irritation, and you improve because your small intestine heals.

It's found in the Irish and northern Europeans by and large.

[October]

6. Beg to differ...

Many have bloated tummies...

I have noticed a malnourished "look" in untreated Celiacs, though. Dark or reddish circles under the eyes and pale complexions. They often just look unhealthy in the face/eyes.

It's treated by diet alone.

The villi in the small intestine usually grow back in a few days after ingesting gluten, but you can have permanent damage if you've lived your life not knowing!

Because untreated Celiacs are "starving" (malnourished) they eat often because their bodies are not nourished/satiated.

[MADem]

11. I'm not talking about bloat, I'm talking about overall weight. NT

[October]

13. Right....indeed...

Semantics aside....

It's just that...I've seen all sizes/types of Celiacs. And the "bloat" can be extensive.

There are at least 8 members of our family with Celiac. They're not all thin, at all. My husband's aunt was in her 60s when diagnosed and had quite the stomach. She was not someone you'd ever describe as thin.

[greenbriar]

7. I have lost 30 lbs in the last year...doctors say I have IBS

I have cut out all wheat/gluten the last month

seems to help

[caligirl]

19. be careful, taking out the wheat,barely, rye before being

tested- reintroducing it like a gluten challenge can have negative consequences.

The best thing to do is get a biopsy, even if you tested negative but have symptoms. the biopsy is done by endoscopy withanesthesia. Its quick. but if you removed the gluten from the diet gradually you antibody level will go down without confirmation of the disease. some people are okay with that.

http://www.csaceliacs.org/celiac_diagnosis.php

Blood Tests

A number of tests, sometimes collectively referred to as the Celiac Blood Panel, will aid the physician in diagnosis. The tests may include, but are not limited to:

*
Serologic Tests

1. EMA (Immunoglobulin A anti-endomysium antibodies)
2. AGA (IgA anti-gliadin antibodies)
3. AGG (IgG anti-gliadin antibodies)
4. tTGA (IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase)

* Tolerance or Measure of Digestion/Absorption Tests

1. Lactose tolerance test.
2. D-Xylose test.

Return to top

2: Biopsy

In the event that clinical signs and laboratory tests indicate probable malabsorption, a biopsy of the small intestine is called for. In this test, a small flexible biopsy instrument is passed through a tube, down the throat, through the stomach and into the upper end of the small intestine where patchy, multiple snippets of tissue are gathered. The tube is removed and the tissue samples are examined under a microscope for signs of injury.



CD DiagnosisThe difference between tissue in a normal small intestine and that found in a celiac patient is remarkable. The normal finger-like projections (villi), which increase the absorptive surface area of the small intestine, are partially or totally flattened in a person with celiac disease. Enzymes located on the brush border are also drastically reduced. Lactase, the enzyme responsible for splitting milk sugar (lactose) so it can be absorbed, is an example of one of these brush border enzymes. This decrease in lactase explains why some untreated celiac patients may not be able to tolerate milk products and will have developed lactose intolerance. Elevated numbers of T-cell lymphocytes (white blood cells) are also present. The small bowel biopsy samples of persons with dermatitis herpetiformis often show similar damage.

To view a color-coded illustration of a single villus, visit MEDLINEplus.

NOTE: At this time there is no standardization in either serological testing or intestinal biopsies.

To view a chart showing typical test results for someone with celiac disease

Click Here

[October]

5. Husband was asymptomatic for 39 years...

My husband and two children have Celiac. We only know because my husband's uncle...and later another aunt were diagnosed in their mid-60s! They lived their whole lives, raised children and grandchildren...and never knew.

Upon her diagnosis, "Aunt Betty" sent lots of informative literature to all the relatives and my husband started questioning some of his stomach flus. He travels internationally, so when he had an upset stomach from time to time, we didn't think much of it. Crossing various time lines (He's a pilot.) was always given as the the cause of his fatigue.

This is indeed an insidious disease. It is better known in Europe. In Italy, they test children before age 7. We are WAY behind on this one -- and that is with statistic reporting that 1:130 people have the disease.

I put my husband on a gluten-free diet, and 2 weeks later he looked at me at the dinner table and said, "I've never felt this good in my life..." He had NO idea how he was supposed to feel. His symptoms were not chronic, but fleeting.

I worry that many people will think they don't have Celiac if they're not "living" in the bathroom. That's an irresponsible statement.

[supernova]

10. I sometimes wonder if I have

at least a gluten allergy if not celiac. I've always had problems with a distended stomach (despite not overeating).

I didn't realize it until a few years ago when at the height of the craze I started the Atkins diet and left out bread and pasta all together. My stomac shrank to a normal appearance and I didn't feel bloated at all.... and every thing else started to work properly too.

Congrats to your hubby on getting his condition under control.

edit: And my ancestry is English and German.
.

[October]

20. Very interesting...

Doctors discovered the disease in Holland, I believe. It was WWII. Children who'd been ill started to recover when put on a banana diet or something. Anyway, there was no bread during this time of the War. Then, when the War ended, bread returned and all the children became ill once more. That's when they realized it was the BREAD.

I'm summarizing here.

Our family eats a healthy diet and we don't suffer or go without. I keep a gluten-free household. The cookies, pies, bread, and cakes I make (mostly from scratch!!!) are excellent. The only inconvenience is when we try to eat out -- fast food or family restaurants. Ordering a burger without a bun isn't as simple as it should be. LOL

We manage.

The kids learned to order salads at a young age. When children's menus offer hamburgers, hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, pizza, chicken nuggets or spaghetti...you end up going to the list of salads.

Husband's ancestry is English/Scottish. At least 8 of his relatives have the disease!

There is an adjustment period to the diet, but it's not awful. We tend toward a low-carb diet, as well.

My two children happen to be serious ballet dancers -- so they're very strong and have grown up with very healthy eating habits. They've had to be conscious of what they eat from a very young age, and they are quite fit and strong (boy and girl).

I wish you well. If you are to be tested, you must have eaten gluten before the tests or they won't be accurate.

[caligirl]

23. You can eat really well GF, but I like the Gf baked goods Whole Foods makes.

[caligirl]

22. here is an excellent resource our family and support group uses

Symptoms of Celiac Disease

What are the symptoms

of Celiac Disease?

The symptoms of celiac disease (CD) vary so widely among patients that there is no such thing as a "typical celiac." The amount of intestinal damage that has occurred and the length of time nutrient absorption has been abnormal seem to be the factors that determine the type and severity of symptoms experienced. It is interesting to note that some people with CD report no symptoms at all.
http://www.csaceliacs.org/celiac_symptoms.php


"Celiac disease is one of the great mimics in gastroenterology in particular and medicine in general. Of 100 patients with CD, just over 10 percent present with classical overt symptoms of malabsorption such as weight loss, diarrhea and nutritional deficiencies. About 10 percent are incorrectly diagnosed for some length of time, in some cases years. Forty percent present in an atypical manner, which leads to lengthy delay in diagnosis. About 33 percent of patients have clinically silent disease and 7 percent have latent CD (no symptoms or small bowel lesion but will develop CD later, or had disease at an early age and resolved)."

C. Robert Dahl, MD, "Celiac Disease: The Great Mimic Presentation," CSA Annual Conference, September 2000,

Return to top


A. The Patient's Physical State

What are the symptoms? How long have they been present? How often do they occur? http://www.csaceliacs.org/celiac_symptoms.php

[MADem]

14. Some people can react violently to the gluten after getting rid of it from the diet, and others

can 'cheat' and pay for it just a bit.

There's no dead-set group of symptoms. There are a few ways to tell--blood test or they shove a camera down your throat and inspect your small intestine. Both aren't foolproof, though.

[October]

21. So true

My father-in-law had so many symptoms, God rest his soul.

His son, 2 grandchildren, a brother, sister, and a few assorted nieces and nephews all had Celiac. Yet, when he had developed osteoporosis and a strange blood problem, he asked his doctor about the possibility of Celiac, and the doctor said to him, "Oh that's rare...you don't have that!" He was too proud and too embarrassed to pursue the issue further.

<sigh>

[GreenPartyVoter]

8. I have most of those symptoms but they are all explained by other things

and tehn too, I am more than 100lbs overweight, so I am pretty sure it's not Celiac

[October]

26. Don't be so sure...get checked.

My husband's aunt and uncle (brother and sister) were both overweight. They both have Celiac.

Their bodies were always hungry...never satisfied.

My husband ate constantly. He was thin...but pale. Still, his aunt and uncle were in their 60s, so they didn't stay thin forever -- despite Celiac.

[caligirl]

29. read more at this site

http://www.csaceliacs.org/celiac_symptoms.php


One reason so many people are not underweight(adults) with this is the quality of the american diet and absorption that eeks through in other areas of the small bowel. Also look at other disorders like hypothyroid, type 1 diabetes, sjogren's, etc. If you have one autoimmune another is possible, not a certainty.

[TroglodyteScholar]

33. Interesting...

I've been diagnosed with irritable bowel and hypothyroidism. I still struggle with symptoms...I may request the blood test when I go for my next checkup.

[caligirl]

35. but remember you need to have been eating gluten containing

foods in order for the test to show if antibodies are present. If you were to stop intake of glutin your test results would not be reliable. SOmetimes these tests can turn a false neg or pos, the gold standard is the biopsy to confirm the blood test if it is positive.


Celiac is full of this stuff. Like nailing jello to the wall in so many ways.

[TroglodyteScholar]

39. Yea...understood...

I wouldn't even try cutting gluten until I knew for certain. From what I can tell, it's really difficult to keep a gluten-free diet.

[GreenPartyVoter]

34. Hmm. Well, I have bipolar and ulcerative colitis, so a lot of those symptoms

are accounted for with those. But I will check into it.

[caligirl]

36. I see what you mean, it may still be worth looking into.

[Richard Steele]

9. My friends' son has this. It can be a MAJOR health problem, but remains relatively unknown.

"A Hidden Epidemic" is NOT an exaggeration. They (and I)
were SHOCKED to discover how widespread it is.

[supernova]

12. That's why I find nutritionists so irritating

when I say that I feel better NOT eating grains and they still insist on "but be sure to get your grains every day....." Gack! I wanna kick that person in the booty soooo bad. It's like the go on autopilot.

[MADem]

15. They're pretty stupid over here about this disease. Find an English or Irish one! NT

[supernova]

18. Yes, that's good advice

:thumbsup:

Eventhough I suspect I don't have full blown celiac, I am experimenting with gluten free foods (most seem to be rice-based) to see if it helps or whether I should just leave it all together.

[caligirl]

25. that and docs who still aren't educated about this, misdiagnosing kids

and telling parents its all in their heads or worse.

We have a couple of great celiac specialists in the GI dept at Stanford in case anyone needs to know. Gary Gray is one.

[Richard Steele]

41. Not just nutritionists, either. Many doctors are just as bad.

"Autopilot" is a really good way to describe it, IMHO.

[eppur_se_muova]

16. BBC article on celiac disease at this post ...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=222&topic_id=17255&mesg_id=17255

other info: http://www.celiaccentral.org /

[Berry Cool]

17. Keith Olbermann has a mild case

and he says he's had weight issues since his tonsils were removed at age 5. So thinness and celiac don't necessarily go together.

[MADem]

24. No such thing as a mild case. You have it, or you don't.

At least that is what the docs say.

[caligirl]

27. Oh yes, have seen some who thought they were better after being

off gluten and thought , okay I can go back to the old habits cause I feel better now. Education!

[October]

28. Maybe his symptoms are mild...but MaDem is correct

We taught our children that one grain is as bad as 1,000.

[Berry Cool]

31. Then correct Keith, not me. He said it, I didn't.

And the funny thing is, he sure eats a lot of pasta at the ESPN Zone for someone with celiac!

[caligirl]

32. i hope its gluten free pasta, made from brown rice its good. Hope he is

ordering this or it is specially made for him in advance.But if not, he will pay for it eventually. some who have no symptoms seem to think their okay but not so. Sending your immune system into hyper drive with every bite damages his body and puts him at greater risk for lymphoma or other autoimmune diseases.

[caligirl]

30. I think the standard is 1/10th of a gram of gluten(gliadin) is enough

to damage the villi.Not much needed. There is no in between, like being preggers you know.

[REP]

37. Celiac Disease is NOT the Same as IBS!!

Celiac Disease is a serious illness; IBS/spastic colon is a functional disorder that is not a disease and does not lead to anything worse. Celiac disease can kill; IBS/spastic colon can only make one wish for death, but has NO detrimental efffects on health.

This guy sounds like another fucking quack who wants to sell a 'cure' for something that doesn't exist, preying on people's lack of information - that an allergy is not the same as a sensitivity, and that IBS/spastic colon is not a disease and is easily distinquishable from celiac disease.

[unsavedtrash]

38. My SO has Celiac Disease

Companies will put wheat/gluten in everything. We have to be so careful in all of the food shopping.

[bklyncowgirl]

40. I had severe celiac as a child but have been asymptomatic since puberty

I nearly died as a baby until our family doctor consulted one of his old professors and I was diagnosed as having celiac. I had severe symptoms, the smallest amount of gluten would make me vomit for hours.

I grew up on a severely restricted diet but as I aged we introduced more and more things and I found I could tolerate a normal diet. I began eating wheat products in my late teens and discovered the joys of pizza and pasta.

They say it never totally goes away, and it may be that some day as I age the symptoms may come back but for now I can eat what I want and have no problems except the (regrettable) weight gain.