Post by: proud2deviate on May 05, 2007, 05:42:21 PM
Please be aware that I'm not a doctor, nor am I afflicted with this disease (I think,) so I might not have all my facts straight. But the basic premise is sound.
So, what is Celiac Disease, you might ask? Basicly, it's an auto-immune disorder that causes folks to have a bad reaction to gluten. This reaction damages the small intestine, and can produce a wide array of symptoms, which might include:
Diarrhoea or constipation,
Abdominal pain or cramping,
Fatigue,
as well as others too numerous to mention.
Now then, on to the gluten part. As you might already know, gluten is a protien found in wheat, rye, barley, and a couple of other grains. This is the stuff that makes your bread chewy. It's also damn near everywhere. If a food product comes in a box or a bag, chances are decent that it has gluten in it. Most processed foods pick it up somewhere along the assembly line. This isn't normally a big deal, but to a person with Celiac Disease, the stuff is basicly poison. If I recall correctly, as few as twenty parts per million can trigger a reaction. So, even foods that are normally gluten-free can be contaminated quite easily. It doesn't take more than a crumb off your sandwhich to do it.
Okay, and now the really bad news. Here in the USA, the medical community has a pretty poor track record for diagnosing (and mis-diagnosing,) this illness. My mother spent about five years of her life in near-constant brutal agony until they figured it out, and unfortunately, her experience isn't uncommon.
There are a couple of reasons for this. Firstly, the symptoms are so diverse that it can mimic a lot of other disorders (If you have IBS, I'd urge you to look into this.)
The second reason is something of a sore subject with me. Simply put, there's not much money to be made on Celiac Disease, so doctors aren't trained to look for it. If your doctor has a certain degree of apathy, this can be even worse. (One doctor's advise to my mother ammounted to; "Eat more fiber and come back in a month when I can bill your insurance again."
) There's no miracle cure they can sell you, no corrective surgery. About the only treatment you can count on is to stop eating gluten.Well, that's about all I have to say on the subject. I apologise for my scatter-brained approach to this thread. There's a lot more to this than I can bring to mind in just one session. For a more concise overview, here's a link to the Wikipedia article on the subject, and another for The Celiac Disease Foundation. A Google search will turn up more information than you can shake an armadillo at.
I'd like to ask y'all to educate yourselves about this. Even if you don't have it, chances are you know someone who does. This disease probably won't kill you, but it can have a tremendous impact on your quality of life. Like I said before, help spread the word.
Oh, and if there's anyone here with Celiac's, I'd like to welcome them to relate their advise and experiences, or to chime in with anything I might have left out
A note to the Moderators: I thought about posting this on THR as well, but I realise that it probably won't fly as it's not gun-related. However, it's my humble opinion that the more exposure we can give this thing, the better. So, if one of you would like to post this thread or link it to one over in General, I'd be very much obliged. If that's not in the cards, then it's no big deal. Thanks for reading, all the same
Post by: J.J. on May 05, 2007, 07:01:37 PM
Post by: DJJ on May 06, 2007, 06:03:36 AM
She's going to hell because she can't eat wheat.
Post by: Matthew Carberry on May 06, 2007, 08:45:10 AM
Post by: cosine on May 06, 2007, 09:12:48 AM
I heard a story about a girl with this condition; the Catholic church refused to recognize her communions because she wasn't using an "official" (wheat-based) wafer.
She's going to hell because she can't eat wheat.
She's going to hell because she can't eat wheat.
Ahem *clears throat*
Not being able to receive Holy Communion does not condemn one to Hell.
Post by: cosine on May 06, 2007, 09:14:28 AM
Post by: DJJ on May 06, 2007, 09:47:44 AM
I heard a story about a girl with this condition; the Catholic church refused to recognize her communions because she wasn't using an "official" (wheat-based) wafer.
She's going to hell because she can't eat wheat.
She's going to hell because she can't eat wheat.
Ahem *clears throat*
Not being able to receive Holy Communion does not condemn one to Hell.
I was being facetious.
Look here---> http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5762478/
Post by: cosine on May 06, 2007, 10:58:32 AM
I was being facetious.
Oh. Sorry for taking your comment too seriously. Sometimes I don't recognize hyperbole when I see it. Apologies if I came across as a bit a of jerk.
Post by: Matthew Carberry on May 06, 2007, 11:36:38 AM
Post by: Matthew Carberry on May 06, 2007, 11:38:50 AM
The new whole and organic food revival should help with making home cooking easier anyway. Still makes eating out a horror story.
Post by: cosine on May 06, 2007, 11:51:46 AM
I'd like to apologize for cosine's response as well.
Eh, I don't mind going a bit out of my way to avoid disharmony or misunderstanding, what can I say...
Post by: AugustWest on May 07, 2007, 05:59:40 AM
Post by: Bogie on May 07, 2007, 09:20:38 PM
Post by: AJ Dual on May 08, 2007, 07:06:31 AM
Her parents were a wreck because the were getting "failure to thrive" warnings in the medical records, and CPS would have been sicced on them had they not had such massive documentation of visiting every specialist and clinic in the metro area they could think of. Even then, I'm sure the mother was being eyed up for "Munchausen's by Proxy"...
The little girl was finally diagnosed, put on a gluten-free diet, and IIRC, she grew about a foot in one year.
Post by: Mannlicher on May 10, 2007, 01:24:22 PM
As so often happens, for those few to avoid a medical condition that afflicts only them, the rest of the population has to modify their lifestyle to accomodate a few.
Post by: Mabs2 on May 10, 2007, 04:34:11 PM
I still have no idea what's going on. I've tried a few things but to no avail...I'd try avoiding bread for a while if it weren't for the fact that everything else I could eat would probably have it in it anyway...
oh well.
I've also sort of self diagnosed myself with lactose intolerance.
No matter how much I suggested it to my doctor he didn't seem to agree.
But since I switched to soy milk I don't get sick unless I have something like cheese or milk, so meh.
Still got some other stuff going on I'm not sure of yet...really sucks.
Post by: grampster on May 10, 2007, 05:38:03 PM
Beer does not bother me though. Neither do my other favorite beverages.
Post by: client32 on May 11, 2007, 06:46:21 AM
There has been a time where we thought our son might have this as well.
Post by: Northwoods on May 12, 2007, 09:12:56 AM
It is a genetic diesase and if you have a direct ancestor that had it you should get checked, particularly if you are having any symptoms.
And yes, the only treatment is a completly gluten free diet. My wife is one of those people who can tell if they get even a tiny amount in their system. But if you have Celiacs, just becuase you think you can eat a little wheat and not feel bad you really are just fooling yourself. My wife was one that thought she could "cheat" and be OK. Over time she figured out how wrong that was. Luckilly for her that didn't take more than a few years. For some it might take until they're much older to figure that out and have done too much damage to avoid serious problems like cancer.
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As so often happens, for those few to avoid a medical condition that afflicts only them, the rest of the population has to modify their lifestyle to accomodate a few.
WTF, Over? WHere is anybody even suggesting that everyone go onto a gluten free diet? If you're aflicted with Celiacs then yes, you should choose a gluten free diet, but I've never heard anyone recommend that all people do so nevermind legislation to force same.
Post by: Matthew Carberry on May 12, 2007, 10:14:38 AM
The similar campaigns in big cities to require warning labels on restaurant meals of all potential allergens and glutens (if not just asking for bans on the same) instead of figuring afflicted people should be smart enough to ask.
That sort of thing is going on as we speak.