Tuesday, October 5, 2010

October is Celiac Disease Awareness Month



Hi-5!

Do you know what Celiac Disease is?
Celiac Disease (CD) is a lifelong inherited autoimmune condition affecting children and adults. When people with CD eat foods that contain gluten, it creates an immune-mediated toxic reaction that causes damage to the small intestine and does not allow food to be properly absorbed. Even small amounts of gluten in foods can affect those with CD and cause health problems. Damage can occur to the small bowel even when there are no symptoms present.


Do you know what causes Celiac Disease?
The cause of Celiac Disease (CD), also known as celiac sprue or gluten sensitive enteropathy (GSE), is still a mystery. One out of 133 people in the United States is affected with celiac disease.
Do you know how you acquire Celiac Disease?
Celiac Disease is not a food allergy - it is an autoimmune disease. Food allergies, including wheat allergy, are conditions that people can sometimes grow out of. This is not the case with Celiac Disease.

Do you know how to limit the effects of Celiac Disease?
Gluten is the common name for the proteins in specific grains that are harmful to persons with celiac disease. These proteins are found in ALL forms of wheat (including durum, semolina, spelt, kamut, einkorn and faro) and related grains rye, barley and triticale and MUST be eliminated.
Learn more at http://www.liveglutenfreely.com/ 

Do you know if people with Developmental Disabilities are more susceptiable to Celiac Disease?
Often, individuals with Developmental Disabilities may have eating disorders, pickey eaters preferences and intestinal, digestion and dietary issues associated with these tendencies.  Likewise, eating gluten-free, casein-free and lactose-free diets may help. But, this does not indicated that they have or will develop Celiac Disease.  Refer to the Center for Disease, Control and Prevention at http://www.cdc.com/

Consult with a medical specialist to determine if you or a person you care for has Celiac Disease.


Learn more at the Celiac Disease Foundation http://www.celiac.org/.
The celiac artery and its branches; the stomac...Image via Wikipedia

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