Is having celiac disease a big deal, really? In a word – YES!!
I won’t go into detail on the most common symptoms of celiac; I’ll just say that it can be a lot like having irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Being free of that is a big deal, believe me.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease. My body has decided that gluten is an invader, and works to get rid of it. I have antibodies that specifically attack gluten. The problem is, the ‘attack’ takes place in my small intestine – causing damage to the delicate tissues there. This damage leads to nutrition problems. In fact, I have had a doctor* tell me that I am probably profoundly malnourished. People with celiac frequently have other health issues; such as thyroid problems, diabetes, a specific skin problem called dermatitis herpetiformis, osteoporosis, anemia, and certain types of cancer. The list goes on and on.
It’s rather mind-boggling: there are between 250 and 300 different symptoms and issues that can afflict a person with celiac. Fortunately, I have relatively few of them.
So, yes, celiac is a big deal.
The good news is that celiac can be well-controlled by adopting a gluten-free lifestyle. I’m working on it. Even better news: the numbers of my anti-gluten antibodies are declining, and should soon be at ‘normal’ levels. When that happens, I should begin to feel healthier. Bring it on!
*this doctor is a specialist in nutrition and weight issues
