Celiac Disease Management
Have You Been Diagnosed With Gluten Intolerance?
In recent years, there has been a trend in restaurants and food distributors to offer gluten-free options to customers. This is due in part to the growing diagnoses and awareness of celiac disease. Celiac disease, or gluten intolerance, is a hereditary disease that tricks the immune system into attacking the small intestine whenever it absorbs gluten. It is most often found in Caucasian families and people with type 1 diabetes.
More than 2 million Americans have been diagnosed with celiac disease, but recent research has shown that a large number of people have gone undiagnosed and the actual number of people with gluten intolerance could be much larger.
Identifying Celiac Disease
One of the reasons celiac disease goes undiagnosed for many people is that the symptoms can vary from person to person. Certain people may not even manifest symptoms into adulthood, at which point they might mistake them for symptoms of an unrelated condition.
Symptoms of celiac disease may include:
- Chronic diarrhea or constipation
- Abdominal pain
- Abnormal bowel movements
- Skin rash
- Loss of enamel
- Joint pain
- Numb feeling in legs
Keep in mind that celiac disease can sometimes be asymptomatic, meaning you may not experience symptoms even after eating gluten. This does not mean, however, that the disease is harmless. Left untreated, celiac disease can cause other health conditions like multiple sclerosis, anemia, osteoporosis, and infertility.
How to Manage Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is a lifelong condition, but with proper treatment, it should not be able to stop you from enjoying a long, active lifestyle. We have qualified healthcare professionals who are able to provide a wealth of information and resources to help you transition into a gluten-free diet. We lead support groups, offer educational classes, and help patients come up with a gluten-free diet that fits their personal tastes.
We offer comprehensive testing and treatment for celiac disease for adults and children. We can help you make positive lifestyle changes and improve your overall quality of life.