Personal Narrative: Celiac Disease

I suffered through horrible-tasting foods and missed out on flavorful dishes until public awareness of celiac disease grew. Although there is now an abundance of gluten free foods, that doesn’t mean everything about having celiac disease has become easier. I have more choices for what to eat, but I still have to be careful to not eat contaminated food and I have to always be prepared ahead of time in case I don’t have any options for food.

It looked like something unusual, and my mom suggested to have it check out by a doctor. At the clinic, a doctor saw my foot, and she diagnosed it as Lyme disease; and I was sent home with a 21-days dose of antibiotics. A couple days later, at the usual Wednesday night mid-week church service, I barely contained an agonizing pain that crept into my knee caps as they started to swell up; my knees felt like a hot potato. As the church service ended, I quickly headed to the exit door in tears—when a friend stopped me and asked me what was wrong. As she noticed my pain and tears running down my cheeks, she walked me to the door and said that she will be praying for me. Having a friend said that encouraged me to also ask God for help as I drove home that night. I did not know what was happening to me, and little did I know that this were symptoms of Lupus—my body’s immune system was attacking

The term gluten refers to the proteins found in wheat, rye, and barley. The most common sources of gluten include breads, pastries, pasta, and cereals, yet everything from mouthwash and toothpaste to lipstick and supplements can contain gluten. It can also be hidden under certain names such as emulsifier, . I have had celiac disease for about five years, and throughout this period I have mastered the art of detecting and avoiding gluten. In fact, I believe that the key strategies to adapt to this lifestyle are : to always be cautious and alert, to do your research, and to collect up to date and credible information. I remember when I was first diagnosed, my doctor gave me a short list of foods that I must eliminate. However, within one week, I kept on adding to that list until I turned it into a ten pages catalogue that I used as a guideline to facilitate my transition. I had a major clear out

Celiac disease is a fairly common disease but is not very well known. Celiac disease, or celiac sprue, is a digestive condition triggered by consumption of the protein gluten (Hill, Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of celiac disease in children, 2011). Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and oats. People with celiac disease who eat foods containing gluten experience an immune reaction in their small intestines, causing damage to the inner surface of the small intestine and an inability to absorb certain nutrients (Hill, Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of celiac disease in children, 2011).

Desiree Ferrandi, a 50-year-old female who I had the pleasure to meet and interview, is 1 out of the about 3 million people in the world suffering from Celiac Disease. Celiac Disease is just one out of the many chronic illnesses that affect nearly 3 million people in America. It is a disorder that can lead to intestine damage if gluten is ingested. A strict, gluten-free diet is the only current treatment. Celiac, like other chronic illnesses, not only affects the health and body of someone, but it affects all aspects of one’s

One health condition that affects people is Coeliac Disease; this is intolerance to the protein ‘gluten’ which is found in wheat, barley and rye. When coming into contact with gluten the body produces antibodies which then attack the lining of the bowel. This then affects the body’s ability to absorb nutrients from food and can even lead to

Celiac disease is seen in about 1-2% of the population, with a 2:1 woman to men ratio (Lisa Ring Jacobsson, 2011). I choose this topic because celiac disease and gluten-free diets seem to be on the rise. In the past, the diet and lifestyle changes for people with celiac disease was very challenging, but in recent years there has been an increase in the amount of people being diagnosed with celiac disease. There is much more information out there about these special diets. Life has become much easier for those with celiac

A report from Reuters states that draft guidelines presented by U.S. doctors say there isn’t enough evidence yet to prove that widespread screening for celiac disease is necessary.

1. Explain the physiologic mechanisms related to celiac disease. What anatomical features of the small intestine lend it to the digestion and absorption of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins?

If you notice or experience any of the signs or symptoms common to celiac disease, see your doctor. If someone in your family is known to have celiac disease, you may need to be tested. Starting the process will help you avoid complications associated with the disease, such as osteoporosis, anemia and certain types of cancer. Seek medical attention for a child who is pale, irritable, fails to grow and who has foul smelling stools. Many other conditions can cause these same signs and symptoms, so it's important to talk to your doctor before trying a gluten-free diet.

As a celiacs daughter I quickly adapted the “gluten free” life style out of convenience for my mother. I would even find myself going to restaurants asking for the gluten free menu and strictly sticking to the diet in and out of my household. I was aware that I was lacking some nutrients by not eating gluten but to make up for it I took vitamin D pills and everyday women health vitamins but little did I know that was not enough to keep me healthy. I was not aware of the risks I was putting myself at by eliminating a whole category of food. I was lacking my body of calcium, fibre and iron as well as other nutrients.

It was not until I went in for a chiropractor appointment, now at the age of thirteen, when I actually had a health professional just sit and listen to all my symptoms. After I was finished explaining my health situation, he suggested that I try a gluten free diet for a week. It took one meal for me to feel better. I was then examined by my family physician and formally diagnosed with Celiac disease. All thanks to my chiropractor who took the time to listen intently to his patient, because without him I would still be misdiagnosed or

Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects about 1 in 133 Americans. Those with Celiac must stick to a strict gluten free diet in order to heal the lining of their intestines. When people with Celiac ingest gluten, their body triggers an immune response that attacks the small intestine. Some experience mild discomfort and bloating while others experience a more serious reaction which can make them very sick for many days. Having Celiac can change your life dramatically, but in the past five years the selection of gluten free foods has significantly improved. In 2007, Phil Zietlow proposed the “Gluten Free Project” to General Mills. He was not the only person to propose this major

Life changing, life long, no cure! This paper is to give knowledge and inform readers on what Celiac Disease is, who it effects, what it affects, and try to explain how it can interrupt a normal, life style to where most of us take for granted. Have you ever wondered what life would be like if you found out you could not eat normal everyday foods that most of us take for granted? What if one day you woke up and found out you could not eat something as simple and as popular as pizza? That you could not eat bread, cake, cookies, lasagna, spaghetti, or even drink beer? That every time you did, you would get sick. Well, for a growing percentage of Americans, that is what is

I think I do have certain underlining gluten intolerance because I feel less depressed and fatigue and have much more energy to keep up with my 2yr old. Food is oddly enough isn’t that important to me. I find eating actually slows me down. So often times while I was working full time, I was only eating one meal a day but it was more binge eating because I had gone without during the day. If I tried to get food, I would get a call. Try to eat, get a call. So I gradually just came to live on energy drinks and fountain drinks that the convenient stores would let me refill. I had in the past tried to bring food with me but it was difficult for me to actually want to eat what I brought because it was mainly snack food and not actual meals.