What Are the Symptoms of Celiac Disease?
Did you know that May is Celiac Disease Awareness Month?
Since my diagnosis just over two years ago, I am amazed at how much more awareness and information is available today for those that either have the disease, or know someone who does. And chances are, you do know someone that has it, because 1 in 133 have Celiac Disease. Surprisingly, since there are hundreds of possible symptoms (or even no obvious symptoms at all) it may be a difficult disease to diagnose. That was definitely what happened to me ( click here for my story).
I received the following press release via email, and felt it may be of interest to many of my readers. Upon reading the abbreviated list of symptoms, I had eight of the symptoms before changing to a gluten free diet.
One aspect that surprised me when I changed to a gluten free diet was that all of my symptoms did not disappear like I expected them to. I assumed that once I went gluten free, I would feel “normal” again. Nope, wrong. I still have some of the symptoms, they are just less severe. I hope with time they will continue to decrease. Now on to the Press Release . . .
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For Immediate Release
Mary’s Gone Crackers and the Celiac Disease Foundation Highlight Symptoms of the Condition in Recognition of Celiac Awareness Month
Gourmet Gluten-Free Snack Company and Non-Profit Support Organization Promote Education, Diagnosis and Lifestyle Changes
Gridley, Calif. (May 7, 2008) – In recognition of National Celiac Disease Awareness Month in May, Mary’s Gone Crackers, makers of gourmet gluten-free foods, and the Celiac Disease Foundation (CDF), have released a checklist of symptoms of the disease, which affects one in 133 adults and children. More than three million Americans are estimated to have Celiac Disease, yet 97 percent of people go undiagnosed. Those with Celiac Disease are unable to tolerate gluten, the common name for the natural proteins found in wheat, barley and rye.
Some common symptoms of Celiac Disease include:
- Recurring bloating, gas, or abdominal pain
- Chronic diarrhea or constipation or both
- Unexplained weight loss or weight gain
- Pale, foul-smelling stool
- Unexplained anemia
- Bone or joint pain
- Migraine headaches
- Behavior changes/depression/irritability
- Vitamin K Deficiency
- Fatigue, weakness or lack of energy
- Delayed growth or onset of puberty
- Failure to thrive (in infants)
- Missed menstrual periods
- Infertility – Male/Female
- Spontaneous miscarriages
- Canker sores inside the mouth
- Tooth discoloration or loss of enamel
Anyone who can identify with one of more of the symptoms listed may have Celiac Disease and should consult a doctor for more thorough testing, which typically starts with a blood test. In addition, anyone who has been diagnosed or has a family member who has been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, eczema, Sjögren’s syndrome, Peripheral neuropathy, thyroid disease, Dermatitis Herpetiformis, or osteoporosis may also be at risk.
The number of Celiacs is in fact greater than those with Crohn’s Disease, Cystic Fibrosis, Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s Disease combined. “We are proud to partner with Mary’s Gone Crackers to help raise awareness of Celiac Disease, said Elaine Monarch, founder/executive director, Celiac Disease Foundation. “We hope this checklist will encourage people to consult their healthcare professionals for proper diagnosis.â€
Celiac Disease is one of the most common genetic conditions in the world that often goes undiagnosed because it is a multi-symptom, multi-system disorder. Symptoms vary and are not always gastrointestinal.
“Celiac Awareness Month is the perfect opportunity to shed some light on this widespread condition, and we are pleased to help educate people that there may be a name for the symptoms they thought they had to live with,†said Mary Waldner, co-founder of Mary’s Gone Crackers. “I spent years trying to find the source of my digestive pain and fatigue and my son’s migraines. I want others to know that they can achieve real health when they avoid gluten containing foods.â€
Waldner was inspired to create Mary’s Gone Crackers after she was finally diagnosed with Celiac Disease and had scoured store shelves for tasty foods that she and her son could enjoy. Mary’s Gone Crackers is a line of delicious, gluten-free gourmet snacks that unite great taste with satisfying nutrition. Loaded with a variety of exotic whole grains and nutritious ingredients, Mary’s Gone Crackers are organic, Kosher and gluten-free and contain no added oils, trans-fats, sugar or dairy. Current products include the original snack crackers in five delectable flavors as well as the new Sticks & Twigs, delicious stick-snacks that will be available this summer. Mary’s Gone Crackers can be found nationally in grocery food stores and natural food stores, including Whole Foods and Wild Oats.
To learn more about Celiac Disease, visit www.celiac.org. For more information about Mary’s Gone Crackers, visit www.marysgonecrackers.com.
About the Celiac Disease Foundation
Since 1990, Celiac Disease Foundation (CDF) has been dedicated to promoting awareness to increase the rate of diagnosis. CDF is constantly expanding the supportive community for patients, families and healthcare professionals. CDF is actively involved in advocating for patient concerns and networking with other national and international organizations to improve the quality of life for Celiacs and their families. For more information, please visit www.celiac.org.
About Mary’s Gone Crackers
Founded in 1999, by Mary Waldner and Dale Rodrigues, Mary’s Gone Crackers manufactures a line of delicious gourmet crackers offering a savory taste sensation and satisfying crunch in five delectable flavors. Loaded with whole grains and nutritious ingredients, Mary’s Gone Crackers are organic, Kosher and gluten-free and contain no added oils, trans-fats, sugar or dairy. Mary’s Gone Crackers are available in natural and grocery stores nationwide. Mary’s Gone Crackers is a proud sponsor of the Celiac Disease Foundation. For more information, please visit www.marysgonecrackers.com.
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Later this month I will also feature reviews of Mary’s Gone Crackers products.
For more information, check out these sites:
Celiac Disease Foundation - http://www.celiac.org/cd-main.php
What is Celiac Disease? - http://familydoctor.org/236.xml
News & Information in the Celiac Community - http://www.clanthompson.com/
National Foundation for Celiac Awareness ( news updates): http://www.celiaccentral.org/
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I would love to hear from you- how did you know to test for Celiac Disease? What were your symptoms? Has a gluten free diet helped?
May 11th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
I was diagnosed when I was going from formula to solids as a baby. My mother brought me in and the doctor knew to test for it (I have no idea how she knew) When I was in elementary a doctor told us that it would eventually go away and I could eat gluten again. (They were wrong, of course) When I became homeschooled, I started eating gluten again, about a year later I got extremely sick. I was bloated, had rectal bleeading, was fatigued, had joint pain, and some other symptoms. They did a bunch of tests including checking for Celiac disease and low and behold it had NOT gone away. Besides Celiac disease I have other “issues” going on. I am extremely sensitive to foods and I still get bleeding (especially if I eat foods like pasta and bread even with them being gluten free) and fautigue. I see a gastro doctor and he is still doing tests to determine what is going on.
In the meantime I absolutely run from gluten. That stuff is evil! Lol. I am lucky that in the last seventeen years the stuff has improved greatly! When I was a child I would eat Quaker rice cakes because they were the only thing that did not taste like plastic! Now at least we have Gluten Free Pantry, Kinnikinicks and other great brands! I also love to cook and bake now and I will even experiment!
xoxoxoxo
May 14th, 2008 at 3:15 am
Wow Kate! I am so surprised that you were tested so young . . but too bad they thought celiac would “go away”. I am impressed that despite your health issues, you are willing to experiment with baking and cooking. Good for you!! If you have a favorite recipe, I’d love to see it.