Celiac disease is an immune reaction to consuming gluten, a protein found in grains like wheat. If you’re one of the millions of people who have been diagnosed with celiac disease, you know that managing your condition can be more complicated than it sounds. There is no cure for celiac disease, so the only option is to avoid gluten. That might sound simple, but following a strict gluten-free diet is not always as easy as you might think.
Finding a way to ensure you eliminate gluten from your diet is vitally important for your health, both now and in the future. That’s because celiac disease not only causes symptoms like diarrhea, bloating and fatigue that impact everyday life, but it can also lead to serious complications if left untreated. Malnutrition, osteoporosis, lactose intolerance, seizures, nerve disease and even cancer are all potential complications from ongoing gluten exposure in patients with celiac disease.
Avoid Foods Containing Gluten
There are a number of grains that contain gluten, such as:
- Wheat
- Derivatives of wheat, including bulgur, durum, farina, farro, graham flour, semolina, spelt and others
- Barley
- Rye
- Malt
- Brewer’s Yeast
- Triticale
In addition to avoiding these grains, you must be diligent about reading food labels. Gluten can be found in many processed foods that you wouldn’t expect. Emulsifiers and preservatives can contain gluten, and foods like oats may be contaminated with gluten during processing. Even consuming trace amounts of gluten can continue to damage your intestines, which is why reading labels and avoiding all gluten-containing foods is paramount.
Gluten can also be found in medications and supplements, so it’s important to check any medications and vitamins or other supplements that you take. Even non-food products like toothpaste and mouthwash can contain gluten.
Follow Your Treatment Plan
Some patients may require medications, such as steroids, to help control symptoms or vitamin and mineral supplementation to address nutritional deficiencies. Always take medications and supplements as directed by your doctor, and maintain follow-up care. Regular testing is typical, usually twice in the first year and on a yearly basis thereafter to monitor your response to a gluten-free diet. The amount of time your intestines take to heal depends on the severity of the damage.
Get Support
Many patients find it helpful to work with a dietitian to create a balanced, gluten-free diet that works for their lifestyle. Ask your doctor for a referral to a dietitian if you need help. Dealing with celiac disease can be stressful. Make sure you have the support you need, whether it is from friends and family, a support group or counseling.
The physicians at GastroIntestinal Specialists, A.M.C., treat multiple conditions and diseases of the GI tract. Our Board-Certified team has over 150 years of combined experience in providing quality care that you can trust. To schedule an appointment, call (318) 631-9121 or click here.