According to an article in the Progressive Grocer, a trade journal, a study by the University of Maryland Center for Celiac Research in Baltimore found that “approximately one in 133 Americans may have celiac disease, but not all who have the condition show symptoms until they experience a significant life event such as surgery, viral infection, childbirth, or severe emotional stress” (Online, 2004).

Celiac Disease is a very serious auto immune response to the protein found in gluten. If left untreated, it can cause extensive damage to the small intestines. The immune system responds to gluten by destroying the villi in the small intestines. The villi are tiny hair like structures that allow nutrients to be absorbed into the walls of the small intestines and then into the bloodstream. Without this proper function, the body becomes malnourished no matter how much food is ingested.

Celiac disease is not only an autoimmune disease, but a disease of malabsorption as well. Celiac disease is hereditary. It may become active or more severe depending on environmental effects such as, trauma, stress, surgery, pregnancy, or viral infection.
Some symptoms of Celiac disease may include abdominal bloating and pain, chronic diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, weight loss, headaches, fatigue, body aches, irritability, irregular menstrual cycles, anxiety or depression, joint pain, iron deficiency, canker sores and rashes.

Symptoms will vary from person to person.
It can take up to a decade for an adult to get properly diagnosed with Celiac disease because the symptoms can be so vague. This may lead to other health problems such as, type 1 diabetes, thyroid disease, liver disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and Addison’s disease.

Check out “My Story” to read about my diagnosis process, and download my Ebook for a quick reference guide to living gluten free.